Findings from the upcoming book 'Born to Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite’, co-authored by Professor Aaron Reeves and Professor Sam Friedman (LSE), have recently been at the heart of columns in the Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times and the New Statesman.
The book explores the profiles of the British elites from the Victorian era to the present day. Professor Reeves and Professor Friedman based their research on records including the historical database of Who’s Who.
Find out more about the articles below.
Financial Times
This column from Emma Jacobs discusses whether people are downplaying their privileged backgrounds to benefit their career. An experiment from ‘Born to Rule’ is at the heart of the article, alongside quotes from the authors’ conversations with leading professionals.
Read the column in full.
New Statesman
Authored by Professor Reeves and Professor Friedman, this article explores whether the introduction of women to institutions like the Garrick club could remake the British elite.
The piece draws from ‘Born to Rule’ to argue that the politics of these clubs could shift strongly to the left now that women are permitted to join. Given that members clubs have historically played a key role in British political life, could this have an impact on political action?
Read the article in full.
The Guardian
This column from John Harris explores the influence of class backgrounds on Westminster politics. It references insights from 'Born to Rule’ into the socio-economic profiles of UK political leaders, and asks how this has impacted policy action and party fortunes.
Read the article in full.
The Times
This column by James Marriott explores the consequences of an anti-elitist age which looks down on highbrow culture, like opera. It draws on a specific argument from Born to Rule, namely that ‘those in power have never been keener to signal their relatable, meritocratic credentials’, often through displaying ‘ostentatiously ordinary activities like “drinking beer” and watching “television”’.
Read the article in full.
