Elite Communities and Polarization in Neoliberal Society: Consecration in Australia’s and Sweden’s Wealthy Neighbourhoods

Abstract

‘Elite communities’ are the areas where the wealthy, and even ‘superrich’, live, socialize and raise their children as future economic and financial elites; they are the places where a few lead socially and economically privileged lives. Earlier studies have concentrated on the inner dynamics of these settings, focusing on the way residents are constructed and socialized as elites through their social, communicative and aesthetic abilities that are perceived as exemplary in contemporary neoliberal society. In this paper, we broaden the perspective, by exploring how these areas contribute to polarization, that is, how they generate distinctions based on money, morals and manners that are peculiar to neoliberalism’s idealization of ‘entrepreneurship’, ‘self-management’, ‘leadership’ and the pursuit of an ‘active lifestyle’. Our data come from two major ethnographic studies: one conducted between 2010 and 2015 of Sweden’s wealthiest community, Djursholm, that is populated by the country’s business and financial elites; the other conducted between 2016 and 2019 of three of Australia’s most prestigious and economically privileged suburbs, Toorak (Melbourne), Mosman (Sydney) and Cottesloe (Perth).

Consecration and meritocracy in elite business schools: The case of a Swedish student union

“…Certainly, most of the students are well prepared, socially and esthetically, already having the social and esthetic merits necessary to qualify for being seen as “elite” through a consecrated upbring (see Börjesson et al., 2016; Holmqvist, 2021), commanding such dispositions as a polished manner (Friedman & Laurison, 2019), acting with ease and confidence (Khan, 2011), and displaying energy and healthy lifestyle (Holmqvist & Wiesel, 2022; Maravelias, 2018). Being literally and figuratively embraced by older (successful) students is a tangible way of indicating to them that from day one they are entering a world that is separated from the outside, in which the student union offers them not only social elevation and consecration, but also a distinct cognitive environment that affects their way of understanding themselves, and others: Much of the lavish entry rituals are about turning students' sense of insecurity, to the extent that it exists at all given their often socially and economically privileged backgrounds, into a distinct experience; specifically that they are future (elite) corporate subjects and should start thinking about themselves in such a way.…”

“…Essentially, these are settings that offer a certain social, moral and esthetic environment where “appropriate merits” for a successful social and professional career are both defined and acquired, for example, the importance of appearing “polished” (Friedman & Laurison, 2019), acting with “ease” and confidence (Khan, 2011), striving to be “culturally matched” with dominant ideals in society (Rivera, 2016), displaying energy, activity and positive thinking (Holmqvist & Wiesel, 2022), and expressing a “healthy lifestyle” (Maravelias, 2018). Through such social and professional “merits,” which are various expressions of moral rather than intellectual virtues, elites are created and reproduced as convincing, trustworthy, resourceful and capable in a world characterized by a neoliberal logic (see Jackall, 1988; Khurana, 2003).…”

Income polarisation, expenditure and the Australian urban middle class

“…However, some studies point to the interrelationship, whereby growing economic inequality reinforces cultural and political divides between the elite and those experiencing poverty and disadvantage (Gu and Wang, 2022). In social class terms, polarisation can be understood as increased cultural difference, and potentially also hostility, between different social classes as suggested by Holmqvist and Wiesel (2022).…”