What can we learn by studying elites in Denmark and Sweden?

Mikael Holmqvist’s research is broadly concerned with work, organization and power. In this talk, Mikael will present his latest study, Kungen – Sveriges ledare, which completes his trilogy of Sweden’s elites that also include Djursholm – Sveriges ledarsamhälle and Handels – maktelitens skola. Through the notions of consecration and image-making, Mikael analyzes the way King Carl XVI Gustaf has been constructed as Sweden’s head of state during his 50 years of reign, and how this can be understood against a background of Sweden’s dramatic market-turn during the last decades. Through detailed analyzes of the King’s official program, his speeches and interviews, Mikael suggests how the King has been framed as “Sweden’s leader” and how he consecrates the idea of “leadership” through his “royal touch”. Hence, contrary to the intentions of the Swedish constitution, the King can be seen as a powerful figure who legitimizes and spreads the gospel and ideals of neoliberalism.

Anton Grau studies elites in general and the Danish power elite in particular. He will present a condensation of several research projects on the Danish elite based on a comprehensive network mapping of the core of the Danish power networks. Revisiting the classical debate between C.W. Mills and Robert Dahl on the relative independence of the different sectors and elites in society the results from the project demonstrate the density of the cross sectoral networks and the demarcation of a small cohesive social group. This core, or the power elite, is shown to have similar career trajectories, social characteristics and to some extent ideological perceptions. Finally, we look back 110 years and look at the development of the Danish elite and show both tremendous stability and substantial change in the composition of the elite and in the power balance between the key institutional orders of politics, state, business and unions. 

The Seminar Series

The Sociology and Social Anthropology Seminar Series (Allmänna seminariet) invites international and national researchers to present and discuss on-going research. Each presenter talks for about an hour, followed by about an hour's discussion.

Find more research seminars in this series at soc.lu.se/en/research.

While the Department of Sociology is in the temporary locked building any outside visitors to our open seminars will be let in five minutes before the stated time through door C, on the carpark side of the house.

All are welcome including students!