C. Wright Mills
| C. Wright Mills link NNDB Prabook (Sociologist, Author, Statecraft/Analyst) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Charles Wright Mills August 28, 1916 Waco, Texas, USA |
| Died | March 20, 1962 West Nyack, New York, USA |
Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Victim of | Premature death |
| Nationality | US |
| Children | 3 |
| Spouse | Yaroslava Surmach |
A sociologist who helped expose the US Ruling class | |
Charles Wright Mills was a US sociologist.
Publications
In 1956 Mills published The Power Elite about the US ruling class.
Thesis
Mills observed that a small group of wealthy and powerful individuals controlled America’s dominant institutions (i.e., political, economic and military). More specifically, the governing elite in the U.S. are comprised of:[1]
- 1) the highest political leaders, including the president and a few key cabinet members and advisors,
- 2) major corporate owners and directors, and
- 3) the highest-ranking military officers.
Death
Mills reportedly suffered from a series of heart attacks throughout his life and his fourth attack led to his death on 20 March 1962 in West Nyack, New York.
