Explanation
The concept of the Power Elite was introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills in his 1956 book of the same name. He argued that power in modern societies is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals who dominate the economic (corporations), political (government), and military (armed forces) spheres. These elites shape laws, policies, and public discourse while remaining largely insulated from democratic accountability.
Theoretical Reference
The power elite concept is foundational in Critical Sociology and Political Criminology, providing a framework for analyzing structural inequality, selective law enforcement, and elite impunity.