The Fraternity of Power - The Oligarchy

There is always a Power Elite:

Throughout the history of man on earth, and in every civilization there has always been a ‘ruling class.’

We may choose to call them by various names, such as, king, queen, chief, lord, president, chairman, premier, bishop, rabbi, or governor (the list is really quite long and distinguished) but regardless of title they are still among the “ruling class.”   All societies, regardless of their level of sophistication, economic strength or power have a ruling class. All forms of government or rule “are” controlled by a ruling class.

People are easily fooled (and make bad choices):

Civilizations or countries that “claim” to have had a revolution and to have overthrown the “bad ruling class” . . . still have a ruling class. They have simply traded one ruling class for the other. More frequently than not, history proves that “the people” almost always have made a bad trade. This is almost always because every day average people just don’t understand the concept of power.

"Power to the People" is a myth:

“Power to the people” is always a myth! After all, haven’t you ever noticed that even those individuals ranting through the megaphone “are” in fact the leaders or the aspiring leaders (and yes, they know it, and yes, that is their plan).

“Oh yeah, what about those hippy communes, or religious cults” you ask? Yes, they have a ruling class too, through the very definite pecking order that always emerges . . . they typically just can’t bring themselves to admit it. Someone, however, always ends up with the best room, the best food, the best clothes, the best weed, controls the money and/or gets the most lovers. So don’t be delusional, there is always a ruling class! There is always someone willing (and wanting) to seize power and control.

"Change" sometimes different (but usually not):

Look at the Chinese Cultural Revolution, millions were led to believe that somehow their lives would be (magically) better, if they threw out the existing social order and status quo and embraced change. They were “promised” everyone would be equal. At the end of a very long and violent period of social, political, and economic upheaval all that remained was “the people” (still as poor and even more oppressed as ever) and subject to a very brutish “Iron Fisted” ruling class headed by Chairman Mao. So who won here? Of course Chairman Mao won and he and his cabinets and bureau chiefs lived and ruled like kings, while many of their subjects were nothing more than slave labor (especially any who dared to point out any of the injustices.)

There are literally thousands of historic examples to illustrate the point that . . . there is always a “ruling class.” Literally every so called enlightened political concept or doctrine requires a ruling class to make it work! By very definition the concepts of culture or society (of any description), no mater how primitive or sophisticated, requires some form of organizational structure and an enforced set of rules. Regardless of how natural or ‘free spirited” and benign these rules are portrayed to be, there needs to be enforced rules and structure for the chosen system to exist. (Anarchy never lasts; it collapses on itself and on the people beneath it.)

"Government by the Best:"

Regardless of whether it is a seemingly free and democratic society or a blatantly oppressive regime, there is always a “power elite” in charge and it always operates at the expense of those governed.

In a political system based on a monarchy, and pretty much in any tribal system as well, the basic philosophy is “Government by the Best.” Typically these systems are controlled (sometimes for hundreds of years) by families who, in a long succession, are raised to inherit the power of rule. From birth it is ingrained in them that they are superior to the masses and that to rule is their natural birth right.

The Privileged Few - The Fraternity of Power:

In nearly all of the modern political systems of earth today, whether capitalistic, communistic, socialistic, in ruling philosophy, the oligarchy is the most prevalent form of power structures.

The word oligarchy is from the Greek for "few" and "rule". An oligarchy is a form of government or rule where political, economic and military power effectively rests with a small, elite segment of the society. Oligarchies are nearly always controlled by a few very powerful and influential individuals and/or families united by a common set of goals or beliefs . . . a true “Fraternity of Power.” Within this “Fraternity of Power“ these individuals do still believe in “Government by the Best” and of course they see themselves as the best. Just as was done in an earlier era, the power elite to this day, grooms their children from a very early age to be the inheritors of the power and the rulers of the future.

Even in a governmental system that espouses “free elections” . . . pay close attention! The same family names or affiliations keep appearing again and again over the decades. This is true in any country in the world without exception; there is always a solid connection to the controlling oligarchy.

The Invisible Masters:

History has taught the “new ruling classes” that sometimes being “overtly” in power has too many unpleasant and personal risks (e.g. The French Revolution, The Russian Revolution, The American Revolution, coup d'état, assassinations, etc.) Therefore, in modern governments, those powerful individuals involved in these controlling oligarchies sometimes prefer a much less visible role. They prefer instead to be the “Power behind the Throne.”

Today, while most modern world governments have their presidents, monarchs, premiers, and chairmen, they are considered figure heads. Yes, it’s true, these individuals are in a highly-visible and important positions of power but that is all just part of the illusion . . . they are not the policy and decision makers. It is the powerful and influential people (the oligarchy) who put them there, who expertly and invisibly call all the shots!

Thus oligarchies can control every aspect of their (and our) environment through policies and process that support their own best interests (or those of their allies.) All the while they are careful to create or maintain the illusion that at least some of the interests of the people are being met. It is however, always an issue of the “best interests” of the power elite that matter. After all “they do know best.”

The reality of World Government:

In our modern world of easy international travel and instantaneous communications the most powerful of oligarchies are no longer local or national in scope. There is considerably more interaction and real-time negotiation between the power elite then at any other time in history. Oligarchies have become an instrument of change and transformation. Sharing of power or collaboration on resources (or the exploitation of them) is common place. World government is already a reality . . . the oligarchies just don’t call it that!

War’s, revolutions, up-risings, religious fatwas, embargoes, and boycotts etc. are nearly always due to the power elite being at odds with each other . . . it never has anything to do with the average every-day people under their rule. So regardless of which set of philosophies, theologies, or social/political concepts you follow . . . the only thing that can ever be changed by your blood, sweat, or tears is in helping one faction of the power elite overthrow another oligarchy so that they may have more power.

To believe otherwise is sheer fantasy.