The emergence of the extra-party political class. A look at “key ministers” in five democracies

The paper deals with the changing patterns’ career of the European political class. Our analysis covers five European democracies from 2000 to 2020. Drawing on a dataset of 544 ministers in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and United Kingdom, we select ministers in “key” positions to observe the new career paths of the ruling class. In this regard, the paper focuses on the ministries of the economic area (finance, economics, development) and those of the legal and security area (justice, interior, defense). Socio-demographic characteristics such as average age, gender and professional activities in which ministers are involved before and after their term of office will be taken into account. Taking note of the progressive elite interpenetration between politics and business – and on the basis of the loosing weight of both ideological and party ties – the paper underlines the progressive emergence of an extra-party political class that goes far beyond technocrats vs. politicians hallmark. In addition, the paper provides interesting insights on the ministerial instability and turnover in cabinet, thus stimulating further reflections on the efficiency and accountability of contemporary governments.