Aeron Davis and the Myth of the “Responsible Establishment”: The Crisis of Capitalism and the Rise of the Reckless Opportunists

In 'Reckless Opportunists: Elites at the End of the Establishment,' sociologist Aeron Davis explores how Britain’s ruling classes have evolved in recent decades. He contends that the old “establishment”—comprising figures once expected to lead with long-term vision and responsibility—has been replaced by a new type of short-term, self-serving careerists who exploit the institutions they are supposed to uphold. According to Davis, today's elites are “reckless opportunists,” motivated more by immediate gains like bonuses, elections, or quarterly results than by strategic considerations.

Davis’s book offers valuable empirical insights. However, its framework is limited to the narrow scope of bourgeois sociology. He highlights signs of capitalist decline but avoids analysing the underlying causes. Consequently, it provides a detailed portrait of elite behaviour that is accurate but politically ineffective, as it cannot explain the reasons behind the transformation or its significance.

Two critiques of Davis highlight a core limitation: “What Davis sees as a cultural or psychological change… is actually due to capitalism's decline.” “The ‘reckless opportunism’ Davis notes isn’t a moral flaw of elites; it’s the natural outcome of a ruling class in a system that has run out of its historical potential.” These aren’t just rhetorical devices. They reveal a fundamental truth Davis cannot face: the decline of the ruling class is intertwined with the collapse of the capitalist system.

Grenfell, the 2008 crash, Epstein: Case studies in elite criminality

The World Socialist Web Site has long documented the criminality, parasitism, and social indifference of the ruling class. The Grenfell Tower fire exemplifies this, as in London's wealthiest borough, officials covered a working-class housing block in flammable cladding to save £300,000 for a gentrification project. Seventy-two people lost their lives in the blaze, yet no one has faced accountability.

The 2008 financial crash marked another significant turning point. Historian Adam Tooze described it as driven by a “tightly-knit corporate oligarchy” engaged in widespread fraud and risky speculation, which led to the collapse of the global economy. This crisis prompted trillions in public bailouts, while millions lost homes and jobs, yet bankers retained their bonuses. The Jeffrey Epstein case further revealed a ruling class characterised by predation and immunity. Leaders from various sectors—heads of state, billionaires, academics, and royalty—moved within Epstein’s circle, confident their crimes would go unpunished. These incidents are not anomalies but reflect the normal functioning of a ruling class that no longer even pretends to serve the broader public interest.

The historical roots of elite degeneration

Davis’s main fault is his longing for a supposedly “responsible” post-war establishment. However, that establishment wasn't the result of superior moral strength. It arose from a specific historical context: the post-war economic growth, the Bretton Woods system providing stability, and the existence of the Soviet Union, which forced concessions to workers. In this environment, the ruling class was able to plan long-term. Capitalism was growing; reforms were possible; and social compromise had solid roots. That time has passed.

Since the end of Bretton Woods in 1971, the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, and a sustained decline in profit rates, a global capitalist system has emerged marked by ongoing crises, perpetual warfare, and unchecked financial capital dominance. In this environment, the bourgeoisie is unable to govern responsibly, even if it wanted to, because its outlook is limited by systemic contradictions that leave it no viable options. Davis's term “reckless opportunism” should not be seen as cultural decay but rather as the political superstructure's response to economic disintegration.

Davis’s implicit proposal—a return to responsible elites—remains a reactionary illusion. The post-war elite system cannot be revived because the historical circumstances that created it no longer apply. Modern capitalism is incapable of providing reforms, stability, or sustainable governance; instead, it offers austerity, militarism, and authoritarian rule. The fundamental issue with elite conduct reflects the broader crisis of capitalism itself.

The socialist alternative

The working class cannot rely on better elites or more enlightened administrators. The institutions Davis criticises—corporations, universities, government departments, political parties—are not simply mismanaged; they are being systematically looted, as capitalism requires.

The goal is not to judge elite conduct but to eliminate the class system that fosters it. The working class must seize state control, expropriate the financial oligarchy, and rebuild society based on socialist principles. Only through the deliberate action of the international working class can humanity avoid the devastating effects of capitalist decline. The choice is not between a "responsible establishment” and “reckless opportunists," but between socialism and barbarism.