The Elevation of the Elite: Historical Trends and Complicity of the Masses

A small group of citizens wields significant influence in the corporate, political, and military realms of American society. This group is known in the literature as the “elite.” Looking at the disparity between the elite and the masses of society in terms of education, wealth, and political power, one might surmise a conspiracy against fundamental democratic principles of equality, justice, and economic fair play. This article addresses non-conspiratorial cultural-contextual factors of history, social structure, media, psychology, education, and the marketplace contributing to the elite’s existence. It is concluded that non-conspiratorial factors play a primary role in their rise to global influence. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005capitalism, elites, power elite, organizational elite, masses, mass culture, corporations, democracy, foundationalism,