The Symbolic Capital of Great Britain – the Crisis that has Matured

Abstract

This study attempts to analyze the current realities and crisis manifestations in the sphere of symbolic capital in the United Kingdom, which is directly related to the structure of power, prestige, and identity. Based on the methodology of P. Bourdieu, who makes it possible to identify symbolic space with physical space through the projection of the distribution of certain types of capital, thus defining social structure, we find ourselves in a space where one type of capital – symbolic - has the ability to shape a stable image of formalized social communities – countries, states, as the most attractive for many people. Using this advantage, Great Britain has created and maintained the image of its fundamental institutions, such as Monarchy, Parliament, the Anglican Church, education, and cultural heritage, as prestigious manifestations of culture and social development, thereby creating an aura of high-quality communities.. The research question that we analyze is how coherent these institutions are today with the social dynamics of the modern British community. What are their main problems and how do the British themselves assess their effectiveness and recognition? The main hypothesis accompanying this research and which we come to confirm at the end is that behind the “facade of symbolic Great Britain” a deep socio-economic and spiritual crisis is hidden.