The Power Elite

2 Pages 605 Words

Given the gradual course of history of the United States, C. Wright Mills' theory of centralized control by a power elite has become prevalent today in American politics. According to C. Wright Mills, “the interlocking [policy, military, and economy] is clearly revealed at each of the points of crisis of modern capitalist society – slump, war, and boom. (Mills, pg. 83)” Given that one of the most important principles of politics is the consequence of history, the rise of centralization of power can easily be seen through a quick glance over the events of the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century is unarguably the greatest leaps in production of all time, in which the economy of the United States of America grew to unprecedented proportions. Before this technological leap, most businesses were run by local entrepreneurs in local areas, and even if one area went completely bankrupt, the national economy would not be affected in the least bit. This allowed for minimal government and military intervention in such affairs. However, because of this event, many corporations soon took on the role of national and even international businesses. If such large factors in the national economy were to go bankrupt, it would have devastating effects on thousands of workers who would be left unemployed. This such event occurred in the 1930’s, known as the Great Depression.

The Great Depression, which followed the crash of the stock market in 1932, was the first major occurrence in which the government was forced to intervene nationally in order to save the ailing economy. President Roosevelt enacted one of the largest extensions of government ever known to this country, creating many programs we know today such as welfare, social security, and public service projects. Although Roosevelt’s New Deal plans brought the United States out of depression and employed thousands of people,...