Abstract

MOTTA, Gustavo Javier. The elite networks.: An alternative approach to study the intra-institutional construction of power: the case of the Argentina Episcopal Conference (1999-2005). Soc. relig. [online]. 2016, vol.26, n.46, pp.11-51. ISSN 1853-7081.

The article addresses the issue of the construction of power in the framework of religious elites. Starting from an intra-institutional dimension, shall be provided a methodological variant that is little explored yet: network analysis and institutional spaces of sociability. It will be taken as a case study to the Episcopal Conference Argentina during the period 1999-2005, based on a double analytical strategy: a. positional-individual, addressing its internal structures and decision space occupation; and b. reticular, shifting his gaze to potential relationships. The basic hypothesis is that the exact place occupied by every bishop in the institutional framework assumes a central role, because it represents the structural capacity -or institutional platform- from which to reach privileged conditions for the mobilization of resources. In the conclusions the results obtained from both perspectives are compared, specifying what were the bishops were strategic areas for political intervention, and who were the bishops who constituted key players during the period. It showed that the relational approach, used as a methodological supplement as part of a comprehensive strategy, provides valuable information for addressing intra-institutional power of religious elites.

Keywords : Social Network; Elite; Power; Bishops; Argentina.

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