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, both Professors of Sociology at the London School of Economics, dive into the dynamics of the British elite in their new book. They reveal how the elite, primarily affluent older white men, navigate their identities while grappling with societal perceptions of wealth. The conversation also highlights gender disparities in elite education and the complex roles of elites of color shaped by colonial legacies. They even discuss the pressing social issues and responsibilities of today's elites, proposing reforms to bridge the disconnect with the public.
The disparity between the ruling class and broader society underscores the need for understanding how British elites maintain their status and influence.
A mixed-methods approach, using qualitative interviews and quantitative data, provides a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of British elites.
Contemporary British elite circles remain predominantly composed of affluent white men, raising critical questions about diversity and representation in positions of power.
Gender and race intersect in complex ways for elites, revealing ongoing challenges for women and elites of color in achieving equal opportunities.
Deep dives
The Motivation Behind Studying British Elites
The motivation for examining British elites stemmed from a conversation between the co-authors, highlighting a perceived disconnect between those in power and the broader society. They were intrigued by how individuals with substantial influence on the country's direction originated from specific backgrounds and how this influenced their authority. This investigation revealed a persistent society where certain elite individuals shaped policies and decisions, prompting questions about accessibility and equality. The authors aimed to understand how these elites emerged, where they came from, and the implications of their influence on social structures.
Methodologies Used to Analyze Elites
The study employed a blend of methodologies to create a comprehensive understanding of British elites, utilizing a longitudinal dataset grounded in the 'Who's Who' publication, which documents influential figures over time. This quantitative data was supplemented with qualitative insights from interviews and archival research to enrich their findings. By including different perspectives from past and present elites, they constructed a multifaceted picture of the elite landscape, enabling a deeper examination of their influence. This combination demonstrated both the challenges and intricacies involved in researching social elites.
Demographics and Characteristics of Contemporary Elites
Contemporary British elites predominantly consist of affluent white men, often from private schools and prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge, revealing a lack of diversity within these circles. Although there has been progress in including individuals from varied backgrounds, the vast majority still hail from the wealthiest sectors of society. This concentration of privilege raises concerns about representation and the legitimacy of these elites in relation to the broader population. The narrative constructed by elites attempting to portray themselves as ordinary individuals often contrasts with their actual backgrounds and privileges, highlighting a fundamental disconnect.
Wealth as a Key Factor in Elite Status
Wealth significantly influences membership and status within elite groups, as many elites possess substantial financial resources that allow them access to exclusive educational institutions and career opportunities. While the majority of elites fall within the top income and wealth distribution brackets, not all are extraordinarily rich, illustrating a nuanced financial landscape. A historical trend reveals that individuals born into wealthy families tend to maintain their elite status, perpetuating a cycle of privilege across generations. This wealth also shapes their worldviews, as it provides the means to pursue risks and opportunities often unavailable to the average citizen.
Gender Dynamics and Elite Representation
Gender plays a complex role in elite representation, with women attaining elite positions reflecting both similar background affluence and distinctive educational pathways compared to men. Although women in elite roles may not be more likely to come from wealthy backgrounds than their male counterparts, their access to elite schools yields less payoff in securing elite positions. This disparity points to an ongoing challenge in achieving equal opportunities for women within elite spaces, despite some institutions successfully propelling female alumni into these ranks. The increased presence of women may gradually shift the ideological landscape of the elite, suggesting potential for more progressive perspectives in the future.
Variations in Experiences Among Elites of Color
Elites of color face unique challenges that intertwine with Britain's colonial history, affecting their representation and experiences in elite spaces. Historically, the connections of these elites to the outcomes of colonial policies impact their status and opportunities today, with a noticeable shift in their roles and visibility. Experiences of racism persist among elites of color, highlighting the complexities of navigating elite environments while advocating for diversity and inclusion. This group exhibits varying perspectives on colonialism and its implications, with some promoting radical changes within elite institutions and others seeking integration to facilitate progress.
Towards Reforming Elite Structures
The discussion surrounding the legitimacy of contemporary elites highlights a need for reform in how individuals are selected for positions of power, particularly in elite academic institutions. Proposals include limiting the representation of privately educated students in top universities and reworking admissions processes to promote greater diversity and accessibility. Additionally, suggestions for implementing a wealth tax aim to weaken the interconnection between wealth and elite recruitment, addressing broader societal disparities. Such reforms seek to ensure that the elite better reflect the general population, thereby enhancing the institutions' legitimacy and accountability.
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.
