Power elite

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A power elite, in political and sociological theory, is a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of resources and access to decision-makers in a political system.

The American Power has been referenced by post-1950 academics, in their research work, the US Power Elite consists of elite members of from the Business/Corporate Community, Academia, Politicians, Media Editors and or high profile Journalists and the Army. From here on a general form of consensus building and homogenesing of elite members views is eventually achieved.

In the US case, a top ranking policy-making forum such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) would be feed on the research from corporate-funded network of tax-free foundations such as, but not limited to, the Rockefeller Foundation and Ford Foundation.

The CFR acts as a forum, sounding board, discussion panel and 'political filter' for up-and-coming political leaders like senators, US Presidents and cabinet secretaries (cabinet ministers). The CFR has been influencing US Foreign Policy since the days of Woodrow Wilson and the outbreak of WWII consolidated its grip over US foreign policy by way of advising expert knowledge to government departments.

Critics argue that the CFR has undue influence over the presidential cabinet, which bypasses Congressional checks and balances, are unaccountable and unpresentative of the American public.

More over, critics have charged the CFR with being Imperialistic in its outlook, and thus giving its character to American Foreign Policy. American foreign policy continues to move from either 'hawk' or 'dove' nevertheless the anti-isolationist and imperialist character does not vary in spite of changes in presidential office be either Republican or Democratic Administrations.

Academics who have written on the Power Elite:

Charles Wright Mills: Sociologists, referenced in 1956 [1970] The Power Elite. New York: Oxford University Press.
Carroll Quigley: Historian, referenced in Tragedy and Hope (without footnotes) to the origin of the CFR and US foreign policy. Also by the same author the Anglo-American Establishment, which traces the origins of Anglo-American Imperialism http://yamaguchy.netfirms.com/cikkek/anglo_01.html to notorious British Imperialist Cecil Rhodes (of the Rhodes Scholarship fame)http://yamaguchy.netfirms.com/cikkek/anglo_10.html The Anglo-American Establishment a book brief http://www.realityzone.com/aae.html Book availability and comments by readers http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0916728501/002-1733857-7892023
William G. Domhoff: Sociologist
Noam Chomsky: On a more general geopolitical view

Power Elite Groups

Anglo-American Power Elite The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) membership of its board of directors history advisory board Corporate Members (US Corporations

The Chatham House (CH)aka as the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA) : similar to the US grouping however more British oriented, members regularly contact their American counterparts to coordinate joint Anglo-American foreign policy. A similar RIIA institute is present on each of the British Commonwealth countries, with remarks Australia, New Zealand, Canada, which regularly advise Foreign Affairs Depts/Ministries.

The above pursue an 'in-house' rule known as the Chatham House Rule regarding information that's to be treated with discretion. "The Chatham House Rule reads as follows:

"WHEN A MEETING, OR PART THEREOF, IS HELD UNDER THE CHATHAM HOUSE RULE, PARTICIPANTS ARE FREE TO USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED, BUT NEITHER THE IDENTITY NOR THE AFFILIATION OF THE SPEAKER(S), NOR THAT OF ANY OTHER PARTICIPANT, MAY BE REVEALED". current as at 14th February 2005 source Chatham House Rules on Disclosure and non-atribution

European Power Elite: Developed World Power Elite

Bilderberg Group(BG) This particular group meets on yearly basis in a European location. Information on this group is not fully verifiable, however some sources argue the group was organised to defuse traditional rivalries among European countries such as Germany and France and fully integrate national interests into the European Union. Key organisers of this group were American interests, and part of US post-WWII foreign policy of 'Common Front' against Soviet activist foreign policy. Original funding was provided by the CIA. http://www.bilderberg.org/bap.htm http://www.totse.com/en/politics/the_world_beyond_the_usa/theinfluenceof172640.html

Basic info on the Bilderberg Group http://www.bilderberg.org/bilder.htm#What

The Trilateral Commission (TC): consisting of top elite representatives from Europe, US-Canada and Japan. Founded in 1973 http://www.trilateral.org/ see site for membership details, a complete and up-to-date list of members is available by emailing the site administrator. http://www.trilateral.org/memb.htm

Power elite

Academics who have written on the Power Elite:

Power Elite Groups

Further Reading and related links:

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