Kommentar |
This seminar will introduce and critique three structural categories that are part of current efforts to reconceptualize power, social classes, and elites in global society. These are the concepts of the "Transnational Capitalist Class" (TCC), the "Global Power Elite" (GPE), and the "Elite Field" (EFI). These three concepts are directly related to the conceptualization and expansion of transnational corporations (TNCs). The TCC concept was developed mainly by William Robinson, Leslie Sklair, and to a lesser extent by Kees Van der Pijl and William Carrol. The notion of GPE is particularly relevant in the work of David Rothkopf and Peter Phillip. Finally, the concept of the "elite field" is part of Prof. Torres' own theoretical developments in the field of sociology. Of the three concepts, that of TCC is the one with the broadest theoretical and sociological development.
Although the seminar will deal with all the authors mentioned above, special attention will be given to the texts by the main theorist of TCC, William Robinson. The systematic approach to Robinson's work will include a reappraisal of the criticisms he received from Immanuel Wallerstein, Giovanni Arrighi, and Michael Mann, among others. The terms "TCC" and "GPE" come almost exclusively from North American critical sociology. Exploring them, therefore, opens a way to observe the current development of this subfield in the United States. Robinson will participate in the final session of the seminar.
A number of established theoretical sources will be used to analyze the three proposed concepts. The goal of the seminar is to offer a unique reading of the concepts of TCC, GPE, and EFI, as well as to highlight the limitations and opportunities they can offer for understanding current processes of global social change.
The seminar will take place as a block on a weekend from Friday to Sunday. The exact date will be announced at the beginning of the semester. An introductory seesion will be held at the end of October. |