A very economical Elite - The case of the Danish CEO

The top 100 CEO’s in different western societies share a very privileged class background. There are however substantial differences in the reproduction mechanisms and social trajectories behind these similarities. This paper will examine the differences in the social trajectories leading to a position within the upper echelons of management in Britain, France, Germany and Denmark. Strong preparatory schools appear to be the most important institutions mediating the reproduction of the economic elite in the UK. Elite universities perform the same role in France. In Germany the class specific habitus is the core principle of admission according to Michael Hartmann. Adding to the German case, even less formal educational qualifications are possessed by Danish CEO’s where the time spend in the economic field appears to be a necessary part of the managers’ qualifications. A certain trajectory of managers in particular salesmen, appear to be unique to the field of Danish top CEOs.The top 100 CEO’s in different western societies share a very privileged class background. There are however substantial differences in the reproduction mechanisms and social trajectories behind these similarities. This paper will examine the differences in the social trajectories leading to a position within the upper echelons of management in Britain, France, Germany and Denmark. Strong preparatory schools appear to be the most important institutions mediating the reproduction of the economic elite in the UK. Elite universities perform the same role in France. In Germany the class specific habitus is the core principle of admission according to Michael Hartmann. Adding to the German case, even less formal educational qualifications are possessed by Danish CEO’s where the time spend in the economic field appears to be a necessary part of the managers’ qualifications. A certain trajectory of managers in particular salesmen, appear to be unique to the field of Danish top CEOs