Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman, "Born to Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite" (Harvard UP, 2024)
Sep 25, 2024
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Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman, professors of sociology at the London School of Economics, delve into the intricate world of the British elite in their new book. They unravel how power, privilege, and education shape elite dynamics today. The duo examines wealth disparities, gender access to elite education, and the disconnect between elites and the general public. They also tackle the legacies of colonialism and propose reforms to promote equity in prestigious institutions. Their work reveals the complexities and contradictions within Britain's ruling class.
The podcast discusses how contemporary British elites maintain their power through wealth, education, and narratives that disguise their privilege.
It emphasizes the importance of understanding elite dynamics and proposes structural changes to address societal inequalities and promote upward mobility.
Deep dives
The Origins and Influence of British Elites
The podcast examines the emergence of contemporary British elites, highlighting their backgrounds and the processes that shape their influence. The conversation originates from a pub discussion between the authors, leading them to explore how certain individuals wield significant power in society. They identify a growing disconnect between these elites and the general public, raising questions about the origins of this elite class and how their influence persists. The authors emphasize the need for understanding elite dynamics to address societal inequalities effectively.
Methodologies in Elite Research
A key focus of the discussion is the rigorous methodologies employed in studying elites, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The researchers constructed a longitudinal dataset using 'Who's Who', a historical directory of notable figures, linking this data with genealogical and wealth information. Additionally, they conducted interviews and archival research to capture personal narratives from elites, providing depth to the statistical analysis. This blend of approaches allows for a nuanced understanding of who the elites are and how they maintain their societal positions.
Demographics and Representation Among Elites
The podcast outlines the demographics of British elites, predominantly comprising older, affluent white men who have attended prestigious universities. While the presence of women and individuals from varied backgrounds is noted, the representation remains skewed towards traditional elite characteristics. The authors discuss how elites actively work to project a narrative of ordinariness to deflect from their privilege, often highlighting modest family backgrounds while downplaying their advantages. This phenomenon of 'deflecting privilege' complicates the public perception of who qualifies as an elite.
Wealth Dynamics and Access to Elite Institutions
Wealth plays a crucial role in maintaining elite status, with economic advantages allowing better access to prestigious educational institutions. The authors reveal that although many elites accumulate significant wealth, the correlation between inherited wealth and elite position persists, demonstrating a cyclical nature of elite reproduction. They advocate for a wealth tax as a potential solution to address the disparities entrenched by wealth, thus promoting upward mobility for broader social classes. Further, they suggest structural changes to university admissions to ensure a more equitable representation within elite circles.
Who runs Britain? In Born to Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite(Harvard UP, 2024), Aaron Reeves, and Sam Friedman, both Professors of Sociology at the London School of Economics, tell the story of the UK’s ruling class. The book blends a huge range of qualitative and quantitative data, and uses innovative sociological methods, to offer a historically informed understanding of how those at the top of society preserve their status and privileges. Examining inequalities of race and gender, as well as social class, alongside the enduring impact of Britain’s imperial past, Born to Rule is essential reading for anyone interested in Britain’s past, present and future.