Mills's Power Elite Theory example essay topic

Fahrenheit 9/11's Power Elite Theory On June 25, 2004, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Michael Moore, released a controversial film, Fahrenheit 9/11, to the nation, that examined the actions of the Bush Administration in the time period following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. The film was protested by the nation's conservatives and thought to be rather comical to the nation's liberals due to the way that Moore portrayed President George W. Bush and the rest of the Republican Party. Moore showed in detail the different events or decisions that he felt were disputable from Bush's presidency, including the way he feels Bush unfairly powers the nation's population into following that of the power elite. We will use Mills's Power Elite Theory to argue that President George W. Bush and the power elite exercise their power over the American people through the many decisions and policies they make on our country.

In 1956, C. Wright Mills developed a theory that "the United States no longer has separate economic, political, and military leaders but instead the most prominent people in each region combine to form a united elite". Most people saw the two main levels of power in the special interest groups and the public, but Mills displayed three levels: the power elite then the special interest groups then the public. It is the higher levels that make the decisions regarding war, national policy, and domestic policy. Members of the power elite tend to be interested in similar things and also come from similar backgrounds.

An example of this would be that most members are either educated at special schools, military academics, or Ivy League schools and also share common faiths in the Episcopalian or Presbyterian churches. Members of the power elite have known other members of the group for a long time, share the same groups of friends, and also intermarry (Sociology 407). They do all of this in order to make it easier for each other to agree on the same decisions and so their close friends and relatives can belong to the power elite in the future as well. President George W. Bush stated in a speech he gave to a group of people, the two levels that he felt existed were, 'the haves and the have mores.

' During his speech, he joked, 'Some people call you the elite. I call you my base. ' His quote parallels the Power Elite Theory. Many elected officials use what is known as the revolving door theory in order to become part of the power elite. This is where the elected officials place large investments in major corporations, during their term (s), that prove to be very successful. Another part of the revolving door theory is that many officials have lucrative opportunities waiting for them in the companies they dealt with while they were still in their professional lives.

They do this for the main reason that they and their families will be able to stay in the power elite and maintain the benefits that come with the prestigious level (web). Examined in the film was the event when Bush was to appoint his foreign policy team. All the advisors he selected were viewed as major contributors in the political picture. It was observed that all but one of these advisors were members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the New York-based organization that is a well-renowned exponent of America's Insider establishment.

This was a common method used in an attempt to make the United States a one-world government ruled by the elite class. The CFR has made close to every decision in the past regarding foreign policy, no matter what the political party of the current president. Therefore, when President Bush joined forces with this council, it became practically impossible for a change in policy while the Bush Administration is in power (web). Another disputable topic that Moore pursued was the presence of a few major corporations that were involved in the events of the war in Iraq.

One of these companies mentioned was The Carlyle Group. It is one of the country's largest private equity firms that invests in government-regulated industries such as telecommunication, health care, and defense, and is also the owner of United Defense. The Bush and bin Laden families have both been involved with the corporation since the mid 1990's. Many question the fact that a multinational corporation is used in the situation such as the war in Iraq and the fact that they are in turn making money from Bush's decision to send United States troops to war in Iraq. Moore stated, with regard to this topic, "September 11th guaranteed that United Defense was going to have a very good year". (web) Another company that was examined in detail during the film was the Halliburton Corporation. The company provides products and services to the oil and gas industries, which includes the area of Iraq that was damaged in the war.

Limited military spending opens doors for private companies such as Halliburton. Before the war in Iraq, Halliburton's gross income was in the millions. At the start of 2005, their gross income was well over the $10 billion mark, and is still rising. There are a few areas of dispute with the selection of this company. In July and August of 2003 One of them being based on the fact that Vice President Dick Cheney was the former CEO of Halliburton, which is now the biggest single government contractor in Iraq. Another disputable area is that by appointing private corporations such as Halliburton costs taxpayers more money than what should be spent by the government.

In conclusion, Moore provides many facts that tend to show that President George W. Bush utilizes the Power Elite Theory. We feel that Bush is proven guilty in many ways of exemplifying the Power Elite Theory. We think he feels that the power that goes along with the elite class is of great importance, and that he uses this power in ways that seem unfair to the public eye. An example of this is the "convenient" involvement's that the Carlyle Group and the Halliburton Corporation have in the war in Iraq.

Overall, Moore shows in the film how easily a greater power, when abused, can take advantage of the United States' citizens.