Theorising Elites

Over 50 years ago, Laura Nader convincingly argued against the anthropological trends of her day that the time had come for the ethnographic eye to be turned upwards towards dominant strata in society. Since that time, scholars from across the social sciences, especially sociology, have heeded her call to ‘study up’. Yet whilst empirical work has shifted its focus, effective theorisation in the study of elites has been slower to catch up. This session invites papers addressing the conceptual and theoretical challenges and opportunities opened up by studying powerful individuals and groups.