SOCIETY

What role has the moral elite played in shaping modern society?

They need not hold power or formal authority – yet their voices have helped shape our society. Researchers at CBS are now delving into history to understand how the so-called moral elite has influenced everything from welfare policies to collective values.

Throughout history, the moral elite has played a key role in public discourse and societal developments. This elite should not be understood as “morally superior”, but rather as a group who influence society through their ideas. In Denmark, they have historically included representatives from political parties, interest groups, and expert communities such as economists.

The research project MORALITES, launched in January 2024, explores the extensive influence of this elite across different spheres of society.

Associate Professor Anders Sevelsted from the Department of Business Humanities and Law at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is leading the project, which aims to shed light on the role of leaders of civil society as part of a moral elite. Prior to its launch, the project received approximately DKK 11 million in funding from the European Research Council in the form of an ERC Starting Grant.

“The top tier of civil society has received little scholarly attention, despite playing a pivotal role,” says Anders Sevelsted. “Our aim is to fill the gaps and explore this elite’s historical influence on modern society, as well as its unique position between the traditional power elite and the broader population.”

"The moral elite operates in a different sphere – relying on other kinds of resources and subject to different expectations."

Anders Sevelsted

A SHIFT IN HOW WE UNDERSTAND SOCIETY

The project examines four distinct time periods from the late 19th century to the 2010s, in four European countries: Poland, Italy, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

“What distinguishes the civil society elite from the economic, political, or intellectual elite is that their legitimacy stems from members, volunteers, and donations. Their power base and the expectations placed on them are fundamentally different,” Sevelsted explains.

The project investigates how the personal backgrounds and careers of these elites intersect with their values and ideologies. By doing so, MORALITES has the potential to reshape our understanding of societal development – past, present, and future.

European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants support promising early-career researchers in establishing their own independent research teams or programmes.

REVISITING THE PAST TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE FUTURE

MORALITES adopts an innovative, comparative approach. The researchers focus on key historical moments – such as the post-war era and the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis – that have significantly influenced societal evolution. Once the moral elite for each period is identified, their social networks, ideological writings, and public statements are analysed.

By comparing results across the four countries, the project aims to reveal how the moral elite has left its mark on society. The researchers combine positional data with “position-taking” data and use Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to map the findings.

Sevelsted notes how the study’s comparative nature is already yielding insights:

“We’re beginning to see clear differences between England and Denmark – likely due to Denmark’s later industrialisation. For instance, agricultural elites appear to have remained influential for longer in Denmark than in England.”

Ultimately, MORALITES seeks to rewrite parts of the historical narrative by highlighting overlooked actors and offering fresh perspectives on governance, institutions, and social policy. Sevelsted describes the project as:

“A journey in historical accountability – reassessing past decisions and shining a light on missed opportunities.”

The project may also help us better understand why our societies developed the way they did – and who played the biggest roles in that process. It invites reflection on who held the greatest influence: men or women, rural leaders or urban voices – and helps uncover the lasting biases that may still shape our institutions today.

MORALITES is a portmanteau of “moral elites”. Historically, the leaders of civil society were not only organisational representatives – they were also moral authorities whose ideas shaped the normative development of modern societies. Hence the term: “the moral elite”.

HISTORICAL INSIGHT FOR CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

The impact of the MORALITES project is intended to reach beyond academic circles. Its findings aim to benefit today’s civil society leaders and the wider public. By drawing on historical data, decision-makers at the top of civil society may be better equipped to navigate contemporary challenges. The research may also serve as a foundation for more informed policymaking, innovative strategies, and a deeper understanding of today’s societal complexities.

“Thanks to the ERC grant, we’re able to conduct an in-depth and comprehensive comparison that would otherwise have been impossible,” Sevelsted concludes.
“We’re exploring archives and building a complete picture of these influential elites over time. In the end, MORALITES is a journey of discovery that challenges assumptions and sheds light on the complexity of societal development. If we can reconstruct the past, we have a better chance of shaping the future.”

Anders Sevelsted is a historical and political sociologist at CBS’s Department of Business Humanities and Law. His research focuses on governance processes and leadership at the intersection of top-down and bottom-up structures, elite and popular governance, experts and public engagement.

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What role has the moral elite played in shaping modern society?

"The moral elite operates in a different sphere – relying on other kinds of resources and subject to different expectations."

ABOUT THE ERC STARTING GRANTS

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