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Who are the secretive circles that truly control power? Explore the mystery of the 'Establishment'!
In sociology and political science, the term "establishment" refers to the elite that dominates a social group and controls a political system, organization, or institution. This group is usually closed, with privileged members and is intricately structured within a specific institution. According to journalist Henry Fairlie's description in 1955, the "establishment" includes not only the official power center, but the entire social network, and real power is often exercised in the form of society.
"In Britain the exercise of power cannot be understood unless it is recognised as being exercised socially."
Around the world, the applicability of the concept of building a pie continues to expand. In Australia, for example, the term has gained some expansion and is now used primarily to refer to the major political parties and the power structures behind them. In his book Anti-Establishment Parties: A Comparative Analysis, scholar Amir Abedi refers to the Labor Party and the Coalition (Liberal Party and National Party) as "establishment parties". Here, the influence of the "establishment" is closely related to shaping the political blueprint.
In Canada, the original establishment combined the Anglo-American model, blending political appointments with business acumen. Especially in the French-speaking part of the country, Catholic leaders in Canada once played an important role. The first traceable Canadian establishment was the "family alliance" of English-speaking society, and journalist Peter C. Newman's 1975 book, The Canadian Establishment, profiled the social elite of the time, including many successful business leaders. It is remarkable that the influence of these old families still exists in the 21st century.
In Hong Kong, as the political environment changed, the concept of "establishment" was also introduced. Since 2004, "pro-Beijing" or "pro-construction" politicians, community organizations and chambers of commerce have often been labelled as collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government. This label reflects how power is distributed and exercised in the current political landscape.
The term "Official Ireland" is used to refer to the media, cultural and religious establishment, which further complicates the diversity of local society and its power structures. In Pakistan, by contrast, the “establishment” refers specifically to the military and its ties to intelligence agencies and senior political officials, connections that allow the military to exert influence within the government.
Britain's establishment is diverse and deep-rooted, including the royal family, the aristocracy, the upper landed classes and some of the famous public schools such as Eton College and Harrow School, as well as many senior public officials at the centres of power. As a result, this structure allows many key decisions to be made within specific offices. Especially in the current context of globalization, this circle continues to influence the lives of countless people.
In the United States, the term "establishment" often refers to the two-party political system, specifically the Republican and Democratic parties. The two parties were once thought to be not much different in their support for neoliberalism, which would be reflected in a strong defense of anti-labor and pro-federal policies. However, with the election of Donald Trump in 2016, the concept's influence has further expanded, and the context of social division has made "establishment" increasingly seen as a derogatory term.
White Anglo-Saxon Protestants (WASPs), as a part of the social elite in American society throughout history, have also become the core content of this concept. These families once occupied an important position in American society, culture and politics, enjoying higher levels of education, voting rights and land ownership. In the 1950s, the New Left movement questioned the dominance of this elite.
“Experts talk about what C. Wright Mills called the ‘power elite’, the community of leaders in the policy arena.”
In short, the "establishment faction" is a mysterious and powerful force in the political arena of various countries. Its existence affects the formulation of policies, the allocation of resources and the exercise of power. In the future, as the global political economy changes, we will need to continually rethink the shifts in these forces and their possible impact on our daily lives. Have you ever thought about who really holds the power when we face global political and economic challenges?
