The transnational capitalist class refers to a global elite whose wealth, influence and interests stretch across national borders. This group may include owners and executives of transnational corporations, global investors, political leaders, senior professionals, media elites, policy advisers and wealthy cultural influencers. Sociologists argue that this class may exercise economic power through ownership, investment and control of global markets; political power through lobbying, policy influence and access to governments; and cultural power through media, advertising, consumerism and lifestyle ideals. This matters for AQA A-level Sociology because it helps explain how globalisation may reshape class inequality, weaken national boundaries and create new forms of elite power.
You can access more about the Transnational Capitalist Class and the work of Sklair for the link below:
Transnational Capitalist Class
In this Transnational Capitalist Class Power Map, students examine scenarios showing how global elites may exercise economic, political and cultural power. For each card, students identify the type of elite actor, the main form of power being used, the mechanism of influence and the wider sociological impact. The activity supports the AQA Stratification and Differentiation topic by helping students apply ideas about globalisation, the transnational capitalist class, global elites, inequality, power and ideology.
Transnational Capitalist Class Power Map
Explore how global elites may exercise economic, political and cultural power across national borders.
Task: Read each scenario and decide who is exercising power, what type of power is being used, how that influence works, and what the wider sociological impact might be.
This activity helps you apply the idea of the transnational capitalist class to global inequality, elite power, globalisation, consumer culture and the changing class structure.
The power map
Identify the elite actor
Is the example about owners, executives, politicians, investors, media elites or experts?
Classify the power
Is the power mainly economic, political, cultural, technological or ideological?
Trace the mechanism
How is influence exercised through money, policy, media, platforms, networks or institutions?
Judge the impact
How might this affect inequality, democracy, labour, culture, consumption or national governments?
Open key terms guide before you begin
Exam practice after the activity
Choose one scenario and turn it into an analytical paragraph:
- Point: One way the transnational capitalist class may exercise power is through…
- Application: This can be seen when…
- Analysis: This matters because it may allow global elites to…
- Evaluation: However, this view can be criticised because…
- Link: Therefore, globalisation may reshape stratification by…
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