Modern Cultural Elite in Yemen: Its Characteristics and Sources

This studies aims at discovering the characteristics and sources of the cultural elite in Yemen, and to point out the changes it has undergone. It also aims at knowing it size, degree of homogeneity, factors influencing it, it's societal roles, and it's relationships with the political authorities and system.

Mainly it is a descriptive study, using social survey, on the bases of a selected sample of 100 cases.

Data was collected by the use of a questionnaire, supported by interviews. The study covers a period extended from 1990-2001.

Main finding include: first, that the Yemeni cultural elites have undergone changes, most notable was the introduction of women among the group. However, the percentage of members of the young generation, proved to the low, mainly because, education as the main factor of social mobility, is new. The circulation, as such, was limited to the joining of a few new members, rather than replacing the old cultural elite.

Second conclusion showed that the Yemeni cultural elites did not form a homogenous group. They are formed of different age groups, different professions, and belong to different socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and ideological frames of reference. The only faze of homogeneity among its members, can be only a found among those who occupy political roles. Cultural elites in Yemen lack the unity in both thought and action, and the in perception of problems and ways of solving them.

These role is limited for many reasons, most important of which are: they are alienated from their public, many of there are government employees, and lost because of social control imposed by tribal forces, especially those of tribal and regional nature.