Social capital in the field of power: the case of Norway
Résumé
This paper offers an analysis of social capital structures in the field of power, based on data from the Norwegian Power and Democracy Survey on elites, conducted in 2000. Separating between objectified, institutionalised, embodied and inherited social capital, we argue in favor of a Bourdieu-inspired approach, which necessitates an analysis of the relations between social capital and the other forms of capital. In order to explore these relations, and also patterns of homogeneity and heterogeneity in the field, we use specific multiple correspondence analysis and ascending hierarchical cluster analysis. This allows us to combine the description of network relations with a more finegrained analysis of capital structures. Firstly, we find that the level of institutionalised social capital varies from one fraction of the Norwegian elite to another. Political parties and business leaders are the most connected to other sectors, while church leaders are the least connected. Secondly, the range of networks established through previous work experiences is related to field seniority. The global volume of institutionalised social capital is, however, related to the opposition between political/organisational positions and judicial/military positions. Thirdly, the figurations of highest endogamy are situated in the religious field, and to a lesser extent, in the scientific fields, and in the police and the judicial sector. Finally, the 'core of the core' is defined by actors who are strongly interconnected inside what is called "the tripartite system", with a high level of multipositionality and intersectorial connections. The paper concludes by emphasising the need to examine the familial and historical dimensions of various social capital accumulation patterns, capital compositions and conversion strategies, claiming that this will help us to better understand the long term formation of stable elite positions and elite dynasties.