The social networks of the public elite

This thesis utilises social network analysis to examine the board composition of UK quangos. Detailed empirical evidence of UK quango composition is rare and generally focuses on broad demographical trends. This thesis takes a biographical approach. focusing on the social and cultural capital of their directors. Data has been collated on all 2,858 directors of the 187 Executive Agencies and Public Corporations of central departments of the UK government in 2007. Infonnation on a wide range of interests has been collated to produce 23 associational networks analysed through a Bourdieuan framework. This thesis argues cultural capital is important for quango board composition. Rather than a singular public elite existing, there are a variety of compliant elites governing quangos. These are related to the stakeholders and communities affected by the organisation's work, with quangos closer to those than serve than previous research has suggested. A variety of independent elite groupings can be found on public bodies, not competing for positions but adopting roles on boards related to their experience and knowledge. The generation of boardroom capital is the motivating factor for quangocrats to hold such roles.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo