The MORALITES (Moral Elites: The Historical Positioning of Civil Society Leaders in National Moral Economies) project is an ERC-funded research initiative that explores the historical role of moral elites—civil society leaders who shape national norms, policies, and public debates. The project investigates their influence in Italy, Poland, the UK, and Denmark from the late 19th century to the present, offering a comparative perspective on how these elites have contributed to shaping moral economies and welfare state transformations.
Using a combination of biographical, career, and textual data, MORALITES seeks to uncover how moral elites’ positions within society relate to their stance on key issues, including social welfare, industrial relations, and political institutions. The project bridges elite studies, sociology, and historical research, shedding light on the evolving role of intellectuals, activists, and nonprofit leaders in different political and economic contexts.
By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, MORALITES not only deepens our understanding of elite influence but also contributes to contemporary debates on governance, representation, and inequality in civil society. Through conferences, publications, and collaboration with scholars worldwide, the project offers a critical perspective on the intersection of morality, power, and policy.
