- Anthropologist Janine Wedel's book "Shadow Elite" identifies a new class of power brokers, known as "flexians," who are reshaping the landscape of democracy, governance and free markets by blurring the lines between government, business and personal interests.
- The book explores a systemic shift in how power operates, highlighting the global phenomenon of influential individuals who move seamlessly between different sectors, often disregarding traditional boundaries and prioritizing personal and collective gain over conventional loyalties.
- Wedel provides examples, such as a Polish scholar's encounter with high-ranking officials smoking marijuana, to illustrate how rule-breaking is common and often goes unpunished. This behavior is not confined to post-communist societies but is evident in countries like the United States, where figures like Barry McCaffrey exemplify the flexian model.
- Wedel introduces the concept of "flex nets," collaborative networks of flexians who work together to amplify their influence. These groups, such as the "Neocon core," are less accountable than traditional interest groups and operate with a shared worldview and agenda, often at the expense of the institutions they serve.
- The rise of flexians and flex nets poses significant challenges to accountability, transparency and the public interest. They personalize bureaucracy, privatize information and manipulate appearances to maximize their influence, ultimately undermining the principles that define modern states, the free market and democracy.
In a world where the boundaries between government, business and personal interests are increasingly becoming indistinct, a new class of power brokers is emerging, reshaping the landscape of democracy, governance and free markets. Anthropologist Janine Wedel's groundbreaking book, "
Shadow Elite: How the World's New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market," delves into the lives and machinations of these elusive figures, whom she calls the "flexians."
This is not just another book about corruption; it explores a systemic shift in how power operates and raises critical questions about the future of democratic societies.
Wedel's journey into the world of the Shadow Elite began over three decades ago, during her observations of power dynamics in Eastern Europe under communism. As those countries transitioned away from communist rule, she noticed a troubling pattern: influential individuals who moved seamlessly between roles in government, the private sector and media, often with little regard for the traditional boundaries that once separated these spheres. These "flexians," as she terms them, are not bound by conventional loyalties or roles. Instead, they operate in a fluid environment where they can
leverage their positions for personal and collective gain.
One illustrative example Wedel provides is that of a Polish scholar and former parliament speaker who stumbled upon a group of high-ranking police officials casually smoking marijuana during a meeting break. This anecdote, while seemingly humorous, underscores a deeper truth: In this new world, rule-breaking is not only common but often goes unpunished, even celebrated. This is not confined to post-communist societies; it is a global phenomenon.
In the United States,
flexians are not just bending the rules but rewriting them. Take the case of Barry McCaffrey, a retired four-star army general who became a media military analyst, defense industry consultant and part-time professor. McCaffrey's influence was not solely due to his expertise but also to his unique access to the Pentagon and his ability to leverage that information across different roles. His frequent television appearances, where he presented himself as an unbiased expert while promoting the Pentagon's positions, highlight the conflicts of interest inherent in the flexian model. Despite these conflicts, McCaffrey maintained his credibility and influence, demonstrating the effectiveness of the flexian approach.
Wedel introduces the concept of "flex nets," groups of flexians who collaborate to amplify their influence. These networks are not traditional interest groups or lobbies; they are more complex and less accountable. They operate with a shared conviction and action, often promoting a specific worldview and agenda. One prominent example is the "Neocon core," a group of interconnected players who have worked together for decades to advance their ideology. Wedel's research, which included interviews with key figures and analysis of published material, revealed that their modus operandi mirrored that of influential groups in transitional Eastern Europe, where players straddled official and private organizations to achieve their goals, often at the expense of the institutions they served.
What makes these flexians and flex nets so effective is their ability to personalize bureaucracy, privatize information and brand conviction. They juggle roles and representations, often performing overlapping or ambiguous roles to maximize their influence. They amass resources and coordinate efforts, creating a resource pool that enhances their collective effectiveness. Moreover, they operate in a "truthiness" society, where appearances and self-presentations are often accepted at face value. They are
adept at manipulating appearances, showing up in different guises to achieve their ends and flexing whichever of their roles gives them the most credibility at the moment.
The implications of this new system of power and influence are profound. It challenges the principles that have long defined modern states, free markets and democracy itself. It undermines accountability, transparency and the public interest. As Wedel argues, "In a world where no one can serve two masters, the challenge for policymakers and citizens alike is to ensure that those who wield power and influence are truly serving the public interest."
Learn more about the book "
Shadow Elite" by watching the video below.
This video is from the
BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.
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