A synthesis focusing on individuals rather than groups—a small set of ultra-wealthy, well-connected people (like certain billionaire financiers or media moguls) who, through discreet salons, private islands, and philanthropic networks, form a social class that operates above national loyalties to shape policy, culture, and markets for their own benefit. They are "secret" not because no one knows their names, but because the true extent and coordination of their influence is hidden.
Example: The annual Bilderberg Meeting, a private conference of Western elites, is often cited as evidence for the Theory of Secret Power Elites. While attendees are known, the closed-door discussions are not. The theory holds that consensuses formed there later manifest as policy across multiple governments, regardless of which party is publicly in power.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026
Get the Theory of Secret Power Elites mug.A classic sociological theory (C. Wright Mills) arguing that modern societies are dominated by a unified triangle of power: the corporate rich, the political directorate, and the military high command. These elites share similar social backgrounds, education, and interests, and they move seamlessly between the three sectors. They make the key decisions on war, economy, and law, while the masses are merely spectators. It’s a critique of pluralism, suggesting the groups at the top are in cahoots, not competition.
Example: A defense CEO sits on a university board with a retired general, who golfs with a senator. They all agree on the need for a new weapons system. The senator inserts the funding into a bill, the general testifies to its necessity, and the CEO gets the contract. This closed loop of decision-making by a small, interlocking cadre is the Theory of Power Elites in action.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026
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