Elite fracture

 Elite fracture is a concept in political science describing a situation where the ruling elite of a country becomes divided. Instead of acting as a united group, powerful actors start fighting, disagreeing, or splitting into rival camps. ⚖️

What is the “elite”?

Elites usually include:

• Top political leaders
• Military commanders
• Wealthy business figures
• Senior bureaucrats and party officials

What is a “fracture”?

A fracture means a serious split or breakdown in unity among these powerful groups.

Why it matters

When elites split, regimes become much weaker, because:

• Decision-making breaks down
• Loyalty inside the state declines
• Some elites may support opposition movements

This idea appears in the work of political scientists like Robert A. Pape, who argues that regimes usually collapse only when internal elites turn against each other, not just because of external pressure like bombing.

Simple example

Many historians say elite fracture played a role in the collapse of the Soviet system, culminating in the Dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, when political leaders and power centers split over the future of the state.

✅ In simple terms:

Elite fracture = powerful people inside a regime stop supporting each other, and the system starts to break.