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Social Stratification and the Dominance of the Elite in "The Power Elite" by C. Wright Mills
The changing patterns in of social life in the American society at the turn of 20th century had created a 'rehabilitation' of the social landscape of the society as we have it at present. It is evident that with the beginning of a new century, new social order has been established, especially after the world had experienced two tumultuous world wars (World Wars I and II). Deriving from this experience, this new social order is motivated by economics and politics, which are essential factors in establishing a prosperous and orderly nation/society, respectively. It is also apparent that the interdependence of wealth with power (and vice versa) has become so pronounced lately, as American society is growing to be (characteristically) the world's biggest capitalist nation.
Taking cue from these observed social changes, Charles Wright Mills introduced in his sociological discourse, entitled, The Power Elite, the phenomenon linking wealth with power. Written in 1956, The Power Elite centers on various sectors or social groups in the societies, which Mills had observed to be distinct from other social groups. Furthermore, these social groups are isolated from the others because they possess one or both of the two important factors that determine the kind of society we live...
Mills talks about the military, the mass society, and the wealthy elite, among others, as examples of social groups that have emerged to be powerful as well as economically wealthy, making them assume a vital role in the society. The following texts illustrate how, in Mills' discourse, the issue of social stratification has been intensified with the emergence of these distinct social groups, of which Mills terms as "the power elite."
Mills discussed various social groups instrumental to the development of American society for the 20th century. However, the book contains two social groups which have insights (by Mills) that are interestingly applicable in the current issues we, the American society, confront today.
The Higher Circle is one of the three most interesting and relevant social groups that is apparent in America's society today. The Higher Circle are those people who have high positions in political, economic, and military institutions in the United States. Mills identifies this elite group according to their role or function in the society: "The power elite are 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. Whether they do or do not make such decisions is less important…
Works Cited
Mills, C.W. (1956). The Power Elite. Oxford: Oxford Press.
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