Customer Reviews

The Power Elite

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C. Wright Mills's examination on the inner workings of the ruling structures of America, "The Power Elite," had an enormous influence on the development of the New Left during the 1960s. This book became the bible of choice amongst the founders of the Students for a Democratic Society in the early 1960s, serving as one of the key components Tom Hayden borrowed from when he wrote "The Port Huron Statement," the first credo issued by that group. It could be safely argued that a student of Leftism in twentieth century America couldn't even begin to grasp the ideology of that movement without looking at this book. C. Wright Mills died before seeing the effects the New Left would have on American society, but his book lives on in reprint after reprint.

"The Power Elite" begins its examination of the power structure in America by looking at local systems of elites. These microcosms of power, much more common in the earlier era of our country, constituted numerous bases of influence across the country. These people were the ones who owned the local mills, or worked as the local lawyer or doctor. They often owned land and saw themselves as the height of local society. But as America grew in size, these local elites gave way to a nationalized power structure that overrode the old, regional ruling constructions. In the process of showing how regional elites eventually formed a national system, Mills examines the old moneyed classes in the United States, how the powerful and wealthy set up networks of influence through elite schools, and how the power elites recruited new members through such institutions as corporations and government service. If I had to sum up the first few sections of this book, I would say that Mills is trying to show how scattered the power elite was in the earlier stages of this country's history.

The first part of this book tends to move slowly, and isn't nearly as interesting as the second half when Mills discusses the rise of the military, government, and corporate hierarchies. According to Mills, these three institutions now form a contiguous whole as far as managing the country goes. Moreover, people inhabiting any of these three structures often move between them with seeming ease. Isn't it funny that Colin Powell, a lifelong military officer, suddenly finds himself in the political world as Secretary of State? Or how Dick Cheney, Condoleeza Rice, and Donald Rumsfeld move between the corporate and political worlds with such simplicity? I'm not picking on the current administration, as EVERY administration regardless of political stripe does this, but these specific examples are indicative of what Mills argues in this book: that the three hierarchies of power in the United States are interlocking, and that the people at the highest levels of these institutions look after one another and do each other favors because they share the same experiences, backgrounds, and aspirations. They all share the same attitudes, the same sense of "sound judgment" necessary to manage society.

As if this thesis isn't chilling enough, Mills includes a couple of chapters about the role of society. In this section of the book, the author concerns himself with the concept of masses versus publics. A mass is essentially a population that receives opinions from elites through controlled communication systems instead of expressing their own ideas. In a mass society, the mass "has no autonomy from institutions," which further inhibits opinion. A public, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of a mass. Opinions are not received through media systems, but arise from open debate through open communications systems. Institutions do not excessively restrict the autonomy of a public, either, because the public doesn't need to rely heavily on institutions to lead them.

I think anyone with an iota of common sense knows where we stand today in terms of Mills's definitions. The United States, that great, immutable bulwark of freedom, is instead a mass of some 260 million souls effectively controlled through the corporate media systems. Sure, one can argue that the people vote officials out of political office, but has that really changed anything? And sure, the Internet does allow nearly anyone with access to a computer a forum for virtually any topic, but it will take more than a few e-mails tacked on to the end of every news opinion program on the media outlets to convince me that we do not essentially receive our opinions. Besides, leaders tell us nearly every day that we are cattle: every time you hear the word "democracy" fall out of an elite's mouth, just remember that democracy means "mob rule," in this case, the American mob ruled by the power elites.

So what do we do? That's one of the great failings in Mills's analysis of the power hierarchies: he never provides any solutions to the problems of a managed society. There is a reference to the idea that bureaucracies ought to be run by individuals who rise through merit instead of through elite appointment, but that's about the only recommendation the author makes. I am suspicious of bureaucracies anyway, so Mills's idea on this topic fails to satisfy me. The New Left did try to use the information contained in "The Power Elite" to affect change, ultimately failing due to a clash of egos and a useless foray into communism. There is one word that may solve the problem, a word many will reject outright: revolution. Mills never calls for it, and that may be the biggest disappointment concerning his analysis. Anyway, this is an illuminating book for readers on both sides of the political spectrum. It is disappointing to see so few reviews for such an insightful book.

No one has written with more verve and authority about the awesome and frightening capabilities of man than the late C. Wright Mills, a prominent and controversial sociologist who wrote such memorable tomes as "White Collar", an exploration of the emerging American Middle class in the early 1950s, and "The Sociological Imagination", a brilliant introduction to the values of employing the sociological perspective in better understanding the realities of ordinary life. In this book, "The Power Elite", Mills delivers a provocative examination of the nature of power, privilege, and status in the United States, and how each of these three critical elements of power and property in this country are irrevocably connected to each other, and how they affect and determine the life chances and material hopes of ordinary human beings. What is most amazing about this book is that while it was written almost fifty years ago to detail what Mills saw as the principal characteristics of American society at the century's mid-point, it also has great verve and value in understanding our contemporary cultural dilemma.

After nearly fifty years, that in and of itself is powerful testimony to his enduring value as a scholar and an original thinker. To Mills, it is critical to understand what he viewed as inherent differences between personal troubles of the individual on the one hand, which that particular person has the responsibility to resolve and overcome, and social ills on the other hand, which are beyond both the ken or control of the solitary individual. Indeed, according to Mills, increasingly in the 20th century one finds himself trapped by social circumstance into dilemmas he is absolutely unable to resolve without significant help from the wider social community. "The Power Elite" is a masterful attempt on Mills' part to accurately describe the nature of American society, and to detail how wealth, power, and privilege systematically influence and affect the ordinary individual's progress in the economic, social, and political domains.

Mills specific focus in this book is on the interlocking nature of three aspects of the power elite in this country, including the military, the corporate, and the political elite. According to Mills, they share a mutuality of life experiences, educational backgrounds, and economic situations that they cooperate and support each other to the detriment and disfavor of the mass of ordinary Americans. Mills wanted to alert his contemporaries as to the critical ways in which the nature of power and privilege had changed in the 20th century, and while many critics have openly criticized his findings and his conclusions after the book's publications, many readers now find his prognostications and warnings regarding the ways in which the power elite would collusively wrest and manipulate control of every aspect of life in this country an amazingly accurate critique of the true nature of power and privilege in America.

Mills often write eloquently regarding the ways in which a person's recognition of "what's what" and "who's who" based on the ability to judge the information within the social environment would dramatically aid him or her in operating within the social environment. Obviously, these words and this observation are as valuable as ever. This is a wonderful book, written in a very accessible and entertaining style, meant both for an intellectual audience and for the scholastic community as well. While it may not be for "everyman", any person wanting to better understand and more fully appreciate how individual biography and social history meaningfully interact to create the realities we live in will enjoy and appreciate this legendary sociological critique and invitation to the pleasures of a sociological perspective by one of its most remarkable proponents some half century ago.

C. Wright Mills was one those people who, disregarding what would more than likely turn out to be a career-ending threat, steps forward and tells the truth -- and an ugly truth it is.

Still, in none of his work, and least of all in "The Power Elite" did he shink from one grain of the poison he finds at the root of the American identity, as it shows its face to an awe-struck globe.

It is an interesting paradox that the mere fact that a book such as this COULD be published is testament to inherent intellectual health of the traditions of American thought and culture. It's a beautiful thing that such horrifying reports are heard in this America -- I hope that the ugliness and duplicity here exposed flies forever in the USA. It's a brighter banner to symbolize the real power of America than could ever be run up the pole in red, white and blue.

...all of which is for naught if you don't read the damn book!

Mills, who died in 1962, provides the reader with an astute, insightful look at the power elite in America. Although many of his references are to people in prominence some 50 years ago, Mills' construct of the upper echelon in America withstands the test of time, prefiguring the military/corporate/governmental trinity of today. If anything, the trends Mills observed during his day, beginning with the advent of Truman's National Security State, have become more salient and pronounced over the years.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who desires an in-depth examination of the power base in this country and how it came to be. During Mill's short, turbulent life he devoted himself to stripping away the pretense of mid-twentieth century sociology, in favor of working toward a practical sociology based on the individual and his relationship contextually to the institutional structures defining his life. Mills believed that individual ills mirrored the greater sickness of the general society, as represented in its power organization, and that the relationship between the two maladies was causal.

Although this book first came out in the 1950's, the information is still ever so pertinent to American society in the 21st century. Fact: America is operated by a small group of individuals better known as the "elites."

Granted we may live in a democratic society, but truth be told, it is not the millions of common people who have the power - it is those filthy rich people who have money and connections - that run the country. James Madison is probably rolling over in his grave, for when he wrote the Federalist Paper #10, he feared what the majority would do to the minority. Madison had it all wrong - it's the minority that does the controlling of the majority.

Mills book is a powerful read! This is a book that brings a moment of enlightment insofar as to understanding the extent of power the elites possess and the impact of such power in our system.

Mandatory reading for all political science majors and people who are interested in pursuing endeavors in the field of politics.

What is strikingly apparent even though this book was published in 1956, is that many of the factual bases of it and its observations are seen today, in 2006. And, the current power-structure will continue to operate this way. It is increasing, and will continue to do so. This is where democracies often lead.

There are a few thousand people in the United States that control almost all aspects of society. These few thousand individuals, hold leadership posts in the political, military, and economic spheres. An extremely high percentage of these individuals were educated in the same schools, come from upper-class families, belong to the same public clubs, and often the same secret societies. The members of this ruling group hold the same interests and values. And this group, self-selects the majority of its members. This is why there won't be change in the values and course of direction of the United States. One of the biggest myths of American society is that the middle class has influence on which direction and course, our society takes. The American middle class does not have interests or values in common with the Power Elites that control and run US society.

Because of these differences, who benefits?

The shift from the land-owning elites to the Oligarchic Corporate Rich began in earnest after the American Civil War.

Today, the foundations of the "3 tiers of control" that form the current oligarchic power structure of the United States has been long in the making, be it by intentional design, convenience, and/or by coincidence. (The first is the most intentional and influential.)

HOW THIS BOOK APPLIES TO TODAY:

First, applying a concept of 1956 into to the present year of 2006: The power nuance and enmeshment of and within, the political, military, and economic world. There are thousands of examples. Here are a contemporary few:

Colin Powell, occupying the upper echelon of the military world. Achieving the post of Joint-Chiefs of staff, retiring from the military world and moving directly into the political world, as Secretary of State. Not born into the club, but by his work, intellect, and skills, selected into the club, as Cheney.

Dick Cheney went from political (Congress, advisor, Sec. of Defense) to the Corporate (Halliburton CEO) and then back to the political (Vice President) echelon.

It was Charles Wilson, the President of GM that famously said, "What's good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa," He later became the Secretary of Department of Defense.

MEDIA and the MASSES:

Intriguing yet disturbing is the author's description of what he defines as the "Masses." The Masses (population) receive their information and form opinions by what the Elites of society present to them through the conglomerate media. Instead of forming their own opinions, the Masses believe, and regurgitate what the conglomerate media run by the Elites, feed them. The Masses are merely spectators of which about 50% vote occasionally. They don't even make decisions.

The Iraq war is an example of "Mass thinking," and one can see it in American media, as well as from ordinary Americans that copy-cat and parrot the media's slogans about the recent petro-dollar oil bourse campaign. Independent thought does not exist for the masses. The Iraq campaign was started and controlled by unelected bureaucrats.

Speeches and writings by General Douglas McArthur and Dwight D. Eisenhower decades ago, echo the sentiments in this book in an eery way.

The Power Elite in the US isn't necessarily different from other contemporary societies today, and throughout history. But by being aware of it, people can choose to live for themselves and form their own opinions, even though they cannot change society's course.

There's a reason this half-century old tome is still considered a classic. You'll have to read deeply to find the timeless message of C. Wright Mills, because the examples and phenomena that are covered at the surface (especially the statistics) are badly outdated and probably haven't been relevant since the book was published in 1956. Also, Mills' writing is a bit non-linear and strangely non-academic, lacking in specific examples and with a tendency to go off on philosophical explorations of obscure trends. So you must read between the lines, because lurking around underneath this old and difficult screed is an absolutely brilliant analysis of how America really works, or how it doesn't work if you're not a member of the elite. Despite American philosophy and traditional ideology about how working hard will get you ahead, Mills finds that it's really all about who you know. Look closely and you'll find that, other than a few talented or lucky individuals, corporate CEO's have not worked their way up from the mailroom, military leaders haven't ascended steadily from boot camp, and nationally powerful politicians did not start out on the local school board.

Instead, these power players are members of an elite who are usually appointed to their positions, regardless of skill or talent, not to mention philanthropy or leadership abilities. The elite perpetuate the power of their inner circle through social networking, business deals, and political alliances. And the best part of Mills' analysis is that he avoids simple conspiracy theories, and dives deeply into the well-established systematic behavior of the elitists, which they may not even notice themselves, but which sure solidifies their positions of power. So while Mills covers a lot of specific events and social circles that are clearly outdated, his general analysis is timeless. Good luck trying to move up in this world. [~doomsdayer520~]

Like Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, CW Mills' The Power Elite has proven to be a seminal and prophetic work. The Power Elite might well have formed the text for Eisenhower's Farewell Address, and so much of this 1956 book will read like old news to twenty-first century Americans: A triumvirate of political, military, and corporate power form a shadow government that rules the United States. This triumvirate Mills terms "the power elite". This block of de facto power working behind the scenes of de jure government is assisted in achieving its ends by media complicity, dumbed-down public education, and popular amorality.

"For Mills, politics was primarily a facade in any case. Historically speaking, American politics has been organized on the theory of balance: Each branch of government would balance the other; competitive parties would ensure adequate representation; and interest groups like labor unions would serve as a counterweight to other interests like business. But the emergence of the power elite had transformed the theory of balance into a romantic Jeffersonian myth" [page 376].

"Alongside the power elite, there is the propagandist, the publicity expert, the public relations man" [page 315].

"The prime task of public education, as it came widely to be understood in this country, was political: To make the citizens more knowledgeable and thus better able to think and to judge of public affairs. In time, the function of education shifted from the political to the economic: To train people for better-paying jobs and thus to get ahead" [page 317].

"The absence of any firm moral order of belief makes man in the mass all the more open to the manipulation and distraction of the world of celebrities" [page 345].

Mills' thesis then (mirroring that of the film The Corporation) is that America's political problem is not just "a few bad eggs": America's problem is what he terms "structural immorality" brought about by "the higher immorality" of the power elite. Mills posits that the trickle-down effect of the power elite causes an informed citizenry to degenerate into a mass society - a politically naive society far less interested in the health of its political institutions than in mindless entertainment: America has fulfilled Mills' prophecy.

The book is a model of clarity, the writing style is engaging, and the logic is crisp. Highly commended.

This book has much to offer to contemporary Americans. Mills knew his subject inside out, and never flinched.

This leading Sociology professor at Columbia University is considered by many to be the father of sociology. An authoritative figure as prominent as C. Wright Mills makes it difficult for the Establishment to socially ostracize and villify him in their routine Two-Minutes Hate, in which they spew their vitriol toward anyone espousing "unorthodox" government viewpoints. C. Wright Mills spent his lifetime (short as it was) studying sociolgoy, society, and government. C. Wright Mills' findings surprises none of us familiar with the story written about in Don't Weep for Me, America: How Democracy in America Became the Prince (While We Slept). Specifically, in reference to the corporate rich, the political directorate, and the military establishment, C. Wright Mills writes, "the leading men in each of the three domains of power-the warlords, the corporation chieftains, the political directorate-tend to come together, to form the power elite of America. He then makes clear that these are the real governors of America, referring to the "elected" officials as the "visible" government througout the book. Perhaps most shocking to the casual reader is Mills' revelation that the warlords of Washington/Pentagon "maintain the largest motion-picture studio in the East, bought from Paramount in 1942" and proceeds to explain how the military propagandizes to the American public by writing the copy for the theater and press. "They prepare scripts, make recordings, and take pictures for radio and TV outlets...and ready to serve magazine editors with prepared copy". And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how America gets into wars with Iraq, Vietnam, ect...