"The men of the higher circles are not representative men; their high position is not a result of moral virtue; their fabulous success is not firmly connected with meritorious ability ... They are not men shaped by nationally responsible parties that debate openly and clearly the issues this nation now so unintelligently confronts ... Commanders of power unequalled in human history, they have succeeded within the American system of organised irresponsibility."
C. Wright Mills, The Power Elite, 1956. NINETEEN-FIFTY-FREAKING-SIX.
Mills was way ahead of his time. I considered a Masters Degree in Sociology so I could study him, but decided it was not tremendously practical.
ReplyDeleteD in California
He was absolutely of his time. The Power Elite is still the Power Elite.
DeleteIt seems to me the men with power now have concluded that this planet is beyond saving, so the human future is now better served elsewhere, good luck with that. Musk wants to float his latest plans for SpaceX on Wall Street - get rich while you watch the planet burn - will the bigger investors’ be offered the first flights off of Planet Earth? Uncle Sam's on Mars.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were describing Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. Hmm. Is there a third comma there, or not?
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