Brexit: On the declining homogeneity of European elites - and on the importance of a domestic habitus in times of globalization

Abstract

" The British economic elite – contrary to common perceptions of a globalized powerful elite – was not capable, not even on the national level, to prevent a decision which, to this elite group, is of eminently outstanding relevance. " (M. Hartmann) In this interview, Michael Hartmann addresses three aspects related to the social phe-nomenon " Brexit " : mass vs. elite; elite vs. elite; and implications for the theoretical per-spective on Bourdieusian power structure research. First, Hartmann argues that frustra-tion as to social democratic and socialist politics, combined with social decline, fostered pro-Brexit votes – as well as, on a broader European level, mainly right wing protest movements. Second, Hartmann argues that two ideal typical groups of elites in the UK, the political and the economic one, have become alienated from each other previous to the Brexit discussion. This is demonstrated by the economic elite not being able to pre-vent the Brexit referendum which, potentially, is damaging to British economy. Aliena-tion between the two groups is tied to globalized and diverse life courses. Globalization, here, is responsible for lessening social similarities between managers and politicians. Hartmann concludes that, given this habitus alienation, even an otherwise powerful globalized economic elite cannot oppose a domestic political elite. Third, and finally, Hartmann conjectures that the habitus concept will remain of empirical importance de-spite globalizing careers.