Transnational elites in Europe in the long 19th century

The colloquium aims at opening new perspectives of historical research on transnational elites in Europe in the long 19th century.

Transnational elites arised not only in the age of globalization of the late 20th century, but they have a long history.

The workshop will discuss relevant concepts of historiography or social sciences and innovative approaches of research. Furthermore, it will be asked, how biographies of elite members were shaped by transnational experiences and if transnational elite groups with specific cultural and social characteristics came into being. In addition it will be debated the problem, which kind of institution encouraged exchanges across borders and which networks or arenas were established in the course of the 19th century.

Of central importance is finally the question, how far elites could influence decision-making processes in the framework of national States.