How have business elites shaped our modern economy and democracy? What patterns of formation and impact distinguish them within Western countries, and how do these differ on a global scale, particularly in Russia and China? Are the pathways of CEOs universally applicable, or do we witness divergent career trajectories across different cultural and political landscapes? Do billionaires and CEOs share common grounds, or do they operate within distinct echelons even within the elite strata? Is the concept of a transnational business elite grounded in our contemporary globalized world?
Prof. em. Michael Hartmann has critically examined the sociology of elites for decades. Since the early 1990s, his incisive analyses have focused on themes like elite and power dynamics in Europe, globalization, recruitment, and the intersect between elites and democratic structures, amalgamating deep theoretical insights with empirical rigor.
Hartmann's contribution extends beyond academia, as his expertise is frequently sought for guest lectures and commentary in the German media.
All students and individuals with a keen interest in understanding the formation of elites, elite structures and their global impact are warmly invited to participate in this seminar.
