This article discusses the Bohemian Grove as a gathering for American power brokers' attempts at social cohesion among their group.

The recent predicaments of New York’s Governor (New York Times, 2008) allegedly utilizing the services of a high-priced “down and out” call-girl and the CIA’s shredding of video tapes from interrogations of captive Taliban bring into question unbridled uses of power by elite leaders in this country. Every July, a retreat takes place in Northern California, albeit non-secretive, it consists of many of these sorts of powerful Americans. This article attempts to introduce the power-elite as a socially-cohesive group. The Bohemian Grove and its several camps epitomize how America “really works.”

The Few & the “American Ideal”

The importance of writing about the possibilities of a powerful group of people leading this country is pertinent in the context of how “easily” we tend to elect a President from a small group of candidates out of a pool of over 300 million. The proposition that a select group of people have the ability to be national power brokers is contentious and flies against the “American ideal.” G. William Domhoff has clearly articulated that the power-elite in America are both consciously and unconsciously organized for the purposes of directing their self-interests upon the nation. According to Domhoff (2005; 1998; 1990), the Bohemian Grove is not a place of power. Instead, it situates the power-elite (like so many other social clubs) within close proximity of each other.

Conspiratorial Argument or Group Social Cohesion as a Policy Tool?

Questions on whether or not there is a powerful group of people directing policy in America are understandable and lead many to suggest that the argument itself is conspiratorial in nature. However, if there is a power-elite, there is no question that it must be socially-cohesive to be able to direct policy. Thus, those who study social-cohesion are examining the roots of how power works. Group social-dynamics are essential if one is to understand the meaning of this group’s power.

Bohemian Grove as “Group Dynamics” In Action

The power-elite have helped successfully create an “American ideology.” They have also incorporated important elements into this ideology that directly buffer their interests such as the notion that individuals have the ability to climb the economic ladder as easily and as quickly as their American neighbor. However, the ability of Americans to prosper in this way does not coincide with the data (Wolff, 2003). The social equation comes down to the “haves” and “have-nots.” Are the rich and powerful organized and situated structurally so as to consistently win with regard to the economy, their wealth and most importantly their policy directives? A starting point is located within organizational analysis.

The Bohemian Grove: Organizational Technology for the Power-Elite?

Is the Bohemian Grove an organizational tool providing a platform for social cohesion among a select group of individuals and corporations? Data drives the answer to this question: most of the wealth in this country is concentrated in the hands of a few. For instance, in the United States, the richest 1 percent of households owns 38 percent of all wealth (Wolff, 2003). Questions about whether or not the wealthy are a cohesive unit of policy makers elicits important aspects of our culture. The cohesion of this group is self-evident. More importantly, we should try to understand how this group of people is able to control the policy networks that create and maintain the interests of the few, while incorporating some members of the lower classes under their wings. Expecting better standards from a Governor is one thing. Understanding how particular people obtained particular positions in society is another. More discussion is required on the existence of other types of organizational tools used by the power-elite.

References

Domhoff, William G. (April, 2005). Power in America - Social Cohesion & the Bohemian Grove: The Power Elite at Summer Camp.

Domhoff, William G. (1998). Who Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000 (3rd ed.). Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Domhoff, William G. (1990). The Power Elite And The State: How Policy is Made in AmericaHawthorne, New York: Aldine De Gruyter.

New York Times. (2008). Spitzer Resigns: Felled by Sex Scandal, He Says His Focus Is on Family. Thursday, March 13, 2008. Vol. CLVII. No.54,248 pg. A1.

Wolff, E. (2003). The Wealth Divide: The Growing Gap in the United States Between the Rich and the Rest. The Multinational Monitor. May 2003 – Vol. 24., No 5.