Cabinets and first ministers Book

I normally start a book like this in order to answer a specific question. In this case, I have been wondering how it is that privately - and expensively - educated people, who went to elite universities, and who have elitist careers, could end up becoming Tribune of the People. The answer provided by this book can be seen in the sub-title - 'A career in the masses'. It's interesting to see how we get from here to there.

The main contention of the author is that there are three pools of power and authority in modern Britain - politics, finance, and the media. Each of these pools has their own high priesthood, there own language, and their own customs. What they have in common is that, despite all the talk of broken down hierarchies, they are very hierarchical in the way that they are organised.

Attendance at a private school acts as a passport to gain access to an elite university. The elite university provides contacts and networks to access the pools of power. The provide the right introductions to the right people. A little more money may then be needed to provide financial support during an unpaid internship, but that serves as a launchpad into the higher reaches of the professions of power. At this point the process becomes self-reinforcing. The elites then marry amongst themselves and procreate accordingly, starting the whole process for another generation.

And so it ever was. What we are now seeing, in addition to the established political and financial dynasties, is the creation of media dynasties. It is at this point we come into contact with the awkward question of why we allow that to be. To a certain extent, deference has a part to play. However, the author makes a play for condescension, a peculiarly English vice. This allows the elites to adopt a patronising stance towards the masses, whose tastes and aspirations can be manipulated one way or another. A pretty good point is made here.

The final ingredient is pretence. This is something which I needed to examine quite closely. There is a link between pretence and delusion. I found that to be very instructive. We all carry an inner image of ourselves. Yet there is often a difference between what we see ourselves to be and what others see us as. Applied collectively, a society could have a view of itself that isn't supported by the facts. I think that this is the place where we can locate the deep divisions over Brexit. The Leavers have one view of Britain as it is and as it could be, whilst the Remainers have a different view, one the polar opposite to the other. The new elites have latched onto this and made it their own. To the extent that these views have mass appeal, a constituency amongst the masses is created.

Which brings me back to the original question. How have these careers in the masses been created? A combination of educational privilege, social access, and inherited wealth is what you need to become Prime Minister nowadays. You can channel that at entry level politics (otherwise known as 'Thinktankland'), or a start in finance, or a start in the media. Either way, these access points can be used to propel you upwards.

I'm not sure that the author has fully answered my question. However, he has pointed me in the right direction. I found this to be a very densely wrapped book. It certainly would have little mass appeal because you have to work very hard to read it. However, it is an important book and one to which I am likely to return in the future.