The power elite

About “The power elite”

In 1956, sociologist C. Wright Mills wrote The Power Elite, a book that examined how a small group of individuals in key positions within society—such as lawmakers, corporate leaders, and military officials—often made decisions that affected the entire population. Mills argued that these individuals, despite being part of different institutions, shared a common perspective and worked together to shape society's direction. This collaboration, he suggested, limited true democratic participation and created a system where a few held most of the power.