Razafindrakoto Mireille auteur aut IRD Roubaud François auteur aut IRD Wachsberger J. M. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Elites are central to institutions and organisations, given that they are shaped and controlled by individuals and social groups or coalitions whose most influential players are elites. Based on a unique and representative survey of hyper-elites in Madagascar, this article explores the specificity of political elite trajectories and investigates their interconnections with other elite segments. First, on the methodological front, the challenges raised by elite surveys and the methods and approaches used to meet them are presented. How can the elites be identified? How can they be investigated? How can we measure their power? Second, on the analytical front, the article shows that political elites constitute a relatively closed and highly integrated world. They occupy a central position in the global network of elites, which enables them to play a necessary bridging role between elites occupying other positions of power and control much of what circulates within elite spheres. specialized Madagascar political elites straddling small world network analysis statistical survey MADAGASCAR 114 50 4 593-617 2024 0305-7070 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092159 10.1080/03057070.2024.2426420 0305-7070 [F B010092159] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010092159 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2025-01/010092159.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-01-22 2025-11-06 fdi:010092159 fre