Public Perception of Rentier Elites in the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACTLack of cohesion among the elites within a society invites conflict. However, the robustness of the elites’ power is demonstrated by their capacity to recycle, propelling the system to persist. There is a great degree of ingrained public mistrust in the elite despite the latter’s regeneration, because of their inclination to build bureaucratic systems that are costly in terms of treasure. Despite waves of revolutions and uprisings in MENA, the political outcomes were no different in style from their predecessors. In some cases, it was simply a reproduction of autocracies and cronyism through the revolving door of power and wealth. The common denominator among elites is how to capture the state’s rents in order to maximize their own self-interest. Using the Arab Barometer data, our study will not be focused on the political identity of the elite, but on public perception in evaluating public institutions and political attitudes. Elites are perceived negatively because they missed opportunities to provide exemplary leadership, as well as economic development and accountability. The outcomes are political turmoil, social injustice and economic inequality.