I am inclined to agree with most of what you are saying here , but I don ' t agree with it being a cabal . I am more toward thinking that it ' s the systems we have in place , and who those systems reward when they get to the top that dictates where the influence comes from . Surely there are people up there who have more influence than others in getting what they want , but that influence can change and reflects the values of yesterday . Not today . The world is mostly ruled by the older generations , having the time to accrue this influence . As time passes , then we are subject to those who value ideals that no longer exist , or are becoming outdated . While there might , and must be some cooperation through the higher echelons of power , that they all work together is counter to their own goals . In some cases at least . Temporary bedfellows at best , and more influenced by the shareholder . Just my two cents . Definite fuckery going on though .