Born to rule: The making and remaking of the British elite
Are today’s power brokers a conservative chumocracy, born to privilege and anointed at Eton and Oxford? Is a new progressive elite emerging? Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman discuss.
Born to rule: The making and remaking of the British elite
11 Dec 2024, 13:00 – 14:00
In this seminar, Aaron and Sam will look at the profiles, interests, and careers of over 125,000 members of the British elite from the late 1890s to today. At the heart of the study is the historical database of Who’s Who, as well as genealogical records, probate data, and interviews with over 200 leading figure.
They will discuss the changes in how elites present themselves today and its consequences for the exercise of power.
The speakers draw from their new book Born To Rule exploring how the British elite has changed over the last 120 years, examining the propulsive power of top private schools, the changing nature of elite culture and the meaning of merit.
This event will be particularly useful for researchers.
Please note this is a hybrid event and can be joined either in-person or online.
Related links
- QSS and CLS seminar series
- Quantitative Social Science
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies
- Social Research Institute
Image
Wilson Hui, CC BY 2.0.
Aaron Reeves
Professor of Sociology and Social Policy in the Department of Social Policy and Intervention
Oxford University
He is also a Senior Research Fellow at Green Templeton College and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at LSE.
He studies the causes and consequences of social inequality, with a focus on the political economy of health, welfare reform, and processes of elite formation.
Sam Friedman
Sociologist of class and inequality
His research focuses in particular on the cultural dimensions of contemporary class division.
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes
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