The Front and the Back Stage of Power: Formal and Informal Social Capital among Business Elites in the Three Largest Swiss Cities, 1890

Article Article scientifique Article The Front and the Back Stage of Power: Formal and Informal Social Capital among Business Elites in the Three Largest Swiss Cities, 1890–2000 eng 2024-09-20 2025-04 author Benz Pierre https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1672-7311 University of Lausanne, Switzerland 676846 Institut de recherches sociologiques (SdS) (IRSOC) author Pinheiro Araujo Antonio Pedro https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4474-8419 University of Lausanne, Switzerland 654217 author Rossier Thierry https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3340-9091 University of Lausanne, Switzerland author Strebel Michael Andrea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8983-8867 University of Bern, Switzerland 286-306 10.1177/00380385241275852 0038-0385 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00380385241275852 <p>In the resurgence of elite sociology, formal (organizational-based network resources) and informal (non-organizational relations) social capital have garnered attention, but their mutual dynamics remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap, examining how both forms intersect among urban business elites, focusing on their roles on corporate boards, perceived as a front stage of power, and their places of residence, representing a back stage. Using multiple correspondence analysis, and thanks to social network analysis and geographic information systems, we examine the evolution of business elites (n = 2164) in Basel, Geneva and Zurich along the 20th century. Our findings identify two dominant elite fractions: the ‘heirs’ and the ‘established’. The heirs’ power is concentrated within a clearly defined spatial context especially through informal social capital, while the established derive their power from extensive possession of formal social capital. The varying presence of these two groups mirrors developments of Swiss capitalism in the 20th century.</p> Swiss National Science Foundation From interdisciplinarity to the construction of symbolic hierarchies: institutional and epistemic mobilities in the careers of bioscientists 210805 CH Careers Swiss National Science Foundation Why Municipalities Merge and What It's Worth: Territorial Reforms in 21st Century Switzerland 208972 CH Careers Swiss National Science Foundation Local Power Structures and Transnational Connections. New Perspectives on Elites in Switzerland, 1890-2020 183534 CH Programmes false Sociology 59 2 20d15876-297f-455e-83cd-ba7198aee654 Article (Published version) Public Benz_et_al._(2024)_The_Front_and_th.pdf 832648 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 600bbf3b8047e057232a7630343a1099dd28c8eb7e70a434e82624e1e1537fb9 openAccess

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The Front and the Back Stage of Power: Formal and Informal Social Capital among Business Elites in the Three Largest Swiss Cities, 1890–2000	Sociology			2025	13	325

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Pinheiro Araujo, Antonio Pedro