The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Global Elites

The fortunes of the wealthy are soaring across the globe.Economists have demonstrated that the lion's share of economic growth over the past decade benefits the richest people: the top 1% took 38% of all additional wealth accumulated since the mid-1990s, whereas the bottom 50% captured just 2%.But there is more to this phenomenon than money. The social composition of elites, their cultural profiles, and political importance are just as significant, but less widely understood.The Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Global Elites addresses this gap by providing comprehensive portraits of who elites are and how they wield power. The chapters offer perspectives from all leading regions of the world, notably Latin America and Africa, and countries ranging from India, China, the USA, to the UK.Contributors-many of whom are leading scholars in this field-explain how elites are increasingly exercising political influence, challenging liberal democracy, and undermining meritocratic beliefs.Elit