Capital and Closure in the EU Field. Advancement in the European Economic and Social Committee

This article explores what it takes to advance the top of an EU institution (European Economic and Social Committee). The combines Bourdieu’s theories field capital with Weber’s theory social closure study interplay between required forms practices during three ideal-typical phases upward mobility: ‘getting in’, ‘fitting in’ ‘moving on’. Drawing on 26 semi-structured interviews, finds that are mutually interdependent as members’ access depends whether they pass tests deployed by agents manage get in, fit in move field. By combining approaches, suggests a new balance structure actor-centred theories, which can help us better capture is at stake field, how game career advancement played.