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I think you have something there about the power elite, except that it is difficult to exert particularly close control over nations. Think about how much the Soviets couldn't control, and they had much more power at their disposal. Under their noses, authors circulated samizdat, Hebrew teachers and priests transmitted religious traditions, and the black market flourished. I have heard tales of electricians and plumbers who would have a buddy punch in for them while they went off to highly remunerative private contracts. When the system fell apart, much of the old Russia, Latvia, Georgia, etc. continued to exist, without having had nationalities melt into the Union, or religion disappear, because of the underground culture. How much can a group like the Trilateral Commission really control, except to promote an elite consensus? |
