The Establishment
Entrenched ruling class
The Establishment refers to the dominant group in a society—those who hold power in government, business, media, and other institutions and are seen as defending traditional values and resisting change.
The term implies an entrenched elite operating to preserve its own interests: He spent his career fighting the Establishment.
Often used critically by outsiders or reformers: The Establishment won't give up power willingly.
- corporationsLegally incorporated business entities
- mainstream mediaDominant news establishment
- governmentAuthority over a state
- universitiesInstitutions granting advanced degrees
- stock marketSecurities trading venue
banks · upper class · aristocracy · patronage systems · glass ceiling · bureaucracy · publishing houses · old boys' network · legislature · deep state · revolving door · power brokers · venture capitalists · museums · hedge funds · intelligence agencies · dynasties · think tanks
The Establishmentoutsiders
Those not belonging
revolutionaries · anti-establishment · reformers · dissidents · insurgents
The Establishmentrevolutionaries
Those seeking systemic overthrow
radicals · rebels · insurgents · agitators · activists
The Establishmentcounterculture
Rejection of mainstream values
nonconformists · iconoclasts · underground · bohemians · outcasts
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