This paper reviews the literature on peripheral elites in central state institutions from a comparative perspective. After analyzing the bibliographical sources of this field, it compares the different methodologies used to produce data. It then centers on ways to access national politics, the presence of peripheral politicians within central institutions, the networks of peripheral actors in city capitals, loyalty toward national or/and regional governments, the impact of the political regime on elites’ behavior, the importance of state variety to understand the trajectory of peripheral actors, the policy influence of peripheral actors on the decision-making process, and the phobias of the main population against minorities´ elites. It concludes by proposing a framework for future research projects.