The Sociology of Elite Distinction From Theoretical to Comparative Perspectives

by Daloz, Jean-Pascal

• ISBN13: 9780230220270
• ISBN10: 0230220274
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-12-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

This major new contribution to the study of consumption examines how dominant groups express and display their sense of superiority through material and aesthetic attributes,#xA0;demonstrating that differences from one society to another, and across historical periods, challenge current understandings of elite distinction.

Author Biography

Jean-Pascal Daloz is CNRS Research Professor at the University of Oxford, UK, Professor at the University of Oslo, Norway, and Chair of the Research Committee on Comparative Sociology of the International Sociological Association.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Social Theory and Elite Distinction
Classical Approaches to Social Emulation and Distinction	p. 7
Precursors	p. 7
Spencer	p. 13
Tarde	p. 14
Veblen	p. 16
Simmel	p. 20
Weber	p. 22
Sombart	p. 24
Major Subsequent Contributions	p. 26
(Neo-)Marxist views	p. 26
The functionalist school	p. 28
Elias	p. 31
Goffman	p. 33
Bourdieu	p. 35
Baudrillard	p. 36
Analysts of postmodernity	p. 37
Psycho-sociological perspectives	p. 39
Elements of socio-economics	p. 41
Grand Theories: Limits and Merits	p. 44
Endless rediscovering	p. 44
On dubious generalisations and extrapolations	p. 46
The analytical models confronted with comparative research	p. 52
Key Manifestations
External Signs of Superiority	p. 61
Some premises about prestigious goods	p. 61
Adornment	p. 64
Residence	p. 68
Vehicles	p. 73
Culinary aspects	p. 77
Embodied Signs of Superiority	p. 81
Self-confidence and assertiveness	p. 81
Distinguished manners	p. 84
Physical appearance	p. 88
Cultivation and linguistic competence	p. 91
Vicarious Display	p. 94
Relatives	p. 94
Flaunting elitist connections	p. 96
Glamorous female company	p. 100
Servants	p. 105
Art patronage	p. 108
Variability
The Historicity of Elite Distinction: Selected Themes	p. 115
Early stages: accounts from anthropological works	p. 115
Sumptuary laws compared	p. 117
Revolutionary reactions	p. 120
Processes of (in)formalization	p. 123
The outcome of mass consumer society	p. 125
Tradition, Fashion, Borrowing and Syncretism	p. 129
Distinction through antiquity-distinction through novelty	p. 129
Adoptions-adaptations	p. 133
The advent of globalised patterns?	p. 135
Beyond Reductionism	p. 139
On profusion and sophistication	p. 139
On dominant codes and styles	p. 143
Conclusion	p. 150
Notes	p. 151
Works Cited	p. 177
Name Index	p. 199
Subject Index	p. 207
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