Die transnationale Klasse – Mythos oder Realität

Abstract

The opinion about the internationalization and transnationalization of classes and elites is deeply divided. This article deals with such query on the basis of an empirical study about the nationality and the careers of top managers from economically most powerful European (Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain) and non-European countries (China, Japan and USA). The findings are evident. Only every twentieth top manager is of foreign origin and only every fourth local top manager has ever studied or worked, abroad. Just one out of seven local top managers has lived abroad more than two years. The main reason for this is the hegemony of traditional national career types. The inter- and transnationalization of the business elites proceeds a lot more slowly than many sociologists and economists suppose. But there are great differences between the several countries. The process is most advanced in Germany and Great Britain. In France by contrast, it even reverses in the younger generation. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]