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Becoming international: On symbolic capital, conversion and privilege

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Olsson, C 

Abstract

jats:p The ‘international’ can be conceived of as a highly sought after symbolic capital. People seek to internationalise their curriculum vitae or resumes, study international subjects, get international diplomas, travel internationally, obtain international jobs. As symbolic capital the ‘international’ can be converted into ‘profit’ complementing other forms of capital (economic, cultural and social capital), deployed in struggles for social domination. It is used as a strategy of social positioning and social domination quasi-globally, but it is not recognised everywhere in the same way. We are particularly interested in the unequal distribution of this symbolic capital, the way differential conversion rates and social boundaries operate in the generation of social inequalities. For this, we will work with and against Bourdieu, in analysing the ‘international’ as a source of a highly contextual form of symbolic power, deployed in a variety of social group formations, but with uneven, differential effects, a naturalised and disguised form of domination. Ultimately, this article problematises how claims to ‘internationality’ operate in social relations and power-struggles and provides an analytical framework hereof. </jats:p>

Description

Keywords

International, Bourdieu, inequality, International, Bourdieu, inegalite, Internacional, Bourdieu, desigualdad

Journal Title

Millennium: Journal of International Studies

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0305-8298
1477-9021

Volume Title

46

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Rights

Publisher's own licence