Elite

Understanding the Elite: A Small Group with Big Influence

Have you ever wondered who really holds the reins of power in society? The elite, a term that has been used to describe those at the top of the social hierarchy, are often shrouded in mystery. But what exactly do we mean by ‘the elite’? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, they are “the richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society.”

The Elite in Historical Context: From Plantations to Powerhouses

Imagine a plantation where enslaved Africans were forced to work under the watchful eyes of their white masters. This was not just about labor; it was about control and power. After the Civil War, the former planter class remained influential, blocking economic reforms that could have changed the course of history.

Modern-Day Elite: A Pathway to Privilege

Nowadays, youth from upper-class families attend prestigious preparatory schools, which serve as gateways to elite universities like Ivy League institutions. These connections open doors to exclusive clubs and networks that provide invaluable business contacts.

The Power Elite: Three Branches of Influence

C. Wright Mills identified three branches of the power elite: political leadership, military circles, and corporate elites. The governing elite in the United States primarily draws its members from key politicians, major corporate owners and directors, and high-ranking military officers.

The Rise of the Power Elite

From the managerial reorganization of propertied classes into a unified stratum of the corporate rich, the power elite has emerged. Class rule is manifested through the activities of organizations and institutions, with leaders within the upper class joining high-level employees to form this influential group.

Nikolai Bukharin’s Vision: A Company of Entrepreneurs

In his 1929 work, Imperialism and World Economy, Nikolai Bukharin anticipated the elite theory. He described present-day state power as ‘an entrepreneurs’ company of tremendous power, headed even by the same persons that occupy leading positions in banking and syndicate offices.’

The Power Elite Today: A Network of Influence

Today, the power elite refers to a relatively small group of individuals who dominate American policymaking. This group includes bureaucratic, corporate, intellectual, military, media, and government elites controlling principal institutions and influencing policymakers.

Demographic Characteristics: A Closer Look

Studies have identified 7,314 institutional positions of power encompassing 5,778 individuals. The demographic characteristics reveal a clear picture: corporate leaders are around 60 years old, heads of foundations, law, education, and civic organizations are about 62, and government employees are aged around 56.

Gender, Ethnicity, and Education

The power elite is predominantly male, with men contributing roughly 80% in the political realm, while women only make up 20%. White Anglo-Saxons dominate. Only 4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are African American, 10% Latino, and 10% Asian. Nearly all leaders have a college education, with almost half graduating with advanced degrees.

The Impact of the Power Elite

These elites influence economic and political decision-making through their network of financial and social capital. They consider themselves overseers of the national economy and focus on group interests, which can lead to destructive conditions for less affluent citizens.

The Inner Core: Professional Go-Betweens

There is an ‘inner core’ of the power elite involving individuals who can move from one seat of institutional power to another. These are professional go-betweens of economic, political, and military affairs, with a wide range of knowledge and interests in many influential organizations.

The Global Elite: A New Transnational Social Class

Relentless expansion of capitalism has generated global-scale class divisions. Some territories and people are highly integrated into global networks while others are ‘switched off’ and discarded. This has led to the emergence of a new transnational social class at the top: a global elite.

The Influence of Global Capitalism

Global capitalism affects everyone on the planet, depending on functioning global financial markets, technologies, trade, and labor. American elites consented to reform under Franklin D. Roosevelt, raising taxes, protecting unions, and establishing a minimum wage.

The Great Compression: A Period of Economic Equality

Economic equality narrowed from the 1930s to the 1970s, known as the Great Compression, except among Black Americans. By the 1980s, the Great Compression ended, and the rich grew richer, seeking political power and spending more on politics.

Conclusion

The elite are not just a historical concept; they are an ongoing reality that shapes our world today. Understanding who these individuals are and how they operate is crucial for anyone interested in social change and equality. As we navigate the complexities of modern society, it’s essential to recognize the power dynamics at play and work towards a more equitable future.