C. Wright Mills and the Power Elite

First published in 1956, this was a classic in sociology at the time. The focus of this book? The American power elite, of whom Mills says (Page 3): "The power elite is composed of men whose positions enable them to transcend the ordinary environments of ordinary men and women; they are in positions to make decisions having major consequences." In this volume, Mills seeks to identify the power elite of the United States at the time. He notes a variety of venues from which the power elite comes. Among these: local society (small city elites), the Metropolitan 400 (big city upper class), celebrities, the very rich, the chief executives, the corporate rich, and the warlords. He speaks in some detail of the "military ascendancy" and "the political directorate." These various groups interact with one another, furthering their interests, shaping decisions that affect Americans' lives. A book of its time, somewhat simplistic in its outlining of the elite, but--nonetheless--a classic. This work inspired much research and commentary. It is somewhat dated now (not surprising, given its age), but is still of historical interest.