The State Nobility by Pierre Bourdieu

The State Nobility by Pierre Bourdieu

In this major work, Bourdieu examines the distinctive forms of power - political, intellectual, bureaucratic and economic - by means of which contemporary societies are governed. What kinds of competence are claimed by the bureaucrats and technocrats who administer our societies? And how do those who govern come to gain the recognition of those who are governed by them? Bourdieu examines in detail the work of consecration which is carried out by the educational system - and especially in France by the grandes écoles. The work of consecration can be seen in operation in different historical periods, whenever a nobility is produced. Today the socially recognized groups function according to a logic similar to that which characterized the divisions between high and low in the ancien régime. Today this state nobility is the heir - structural and sometimes even genealogical - of the noblesse de robe which, in order to consolidate its position in relation to other forms of power, had to construct the modern state and the republican myths, meritocracy and civil service which went along with it. Bourdieu examines the mechanisms which produce the kind of nobility displayed by those who govern, and the recognition granted to them by those who are governed by them.

"Since the 1960s Pierre Bourdieu's terrific constancy has been there to hold us to the vision and divisions of criticism, detachment, reason, truth.. [This book is an] enormous addition to his vast architecture." Times Higher Education Supplement

"This is a book ... which presents a stimulating argument." Sociology

"If you wish to understand how France's grandes écoles have achieved such influence you need look no further than The State Nobility ... characteristic combination of original concepts, innovative analysis and a huge array of empirical evidence ... strongly recommended." British Journal of Sociology

"Both The Rules of Art and State Nobility are dazzling examples of the way in which Bourdieu imposes order on an overwhelming wealth of empirical material ... these books represent important developments in Bourdieu's thought and confirm his status as one of today's most stimulating and bold sociological thinkers." European Journal of Social Theory

Pierre Bourdieu was Professor of Sociology at the Collège de France.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780745620282
ISBN 10	0745620280
Title	The State Nobility
Author	Pierre Bourdieu
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Year published	1998-02-15
Number of pages	504
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable