Available Quote by C. Wright Mills
“What I am asserting is that in this particular epoch a conjunction of historical circumstances has led to the rise of an elite of power; that the men of the circles composing this elite, severally and collectively, now make such key decisions as are made; and that, given the enlargement and the centralization of the means of power now available, the decisions that they make and fail to make carry more consequences for more people than has ever been the case in the world history of mankind”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Power Elite, C. Wright Mills, 1956
The concentration of power in a small elite makes their decisions affect many more people than ever before.
In simple terms: Elite decisions now impact huge numbers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question concentrated power.
Themes
power
elite
decisionmaking
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy
- corporate governance
- media influence
- public activism
Key Concepts
sociology
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does elite power shape everyday life?
- What mechanisms can democratize decisionmaking?
A Different Perspective
Power can be opaque and resistant to accountability.
