power elite

noun

1. a closely knit alliance of military, government, and corporate officials perceived as the center of wealth and political power in the U.S.

power elite

1. A term used by the American sociologist ( see sociology ) C. Wright Mills to describe a relatively small, loosely knit group of people who tend to dominate American policymaking. This group includes bureaucratic, corporate, intellectual, military, and government elites who control the principal institutions in the United States and whose opinions and actions influence the decisions of the policymakers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of power elite¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Hark back to the Buffett Rule, another prime slice of collective madness orchestrated by the power elite.

From The Daily Beast

There is not very much evidence that the Pakistani power elite is likely to come to its senses any time soon.

From The Daily Beast

They had no Plan C. Mubarak and his family had created a power elite as lacking in imagination as they themselves had become.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• expert
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