Power and influence in American society are exercised by groups of people, whether Democrats or Republicans, who control the wealth of the nation. Any which way they can,

they influence the national agenda. “Americans may be equal, but some are more equal than others,” economist  Paul Krugman wrote a while ago. The most obvious influential actor is the political establishment—career politicians, top government officials, and prominent political families. They can be found at various levels of the government, from local and regional to national, and often have significant influence over policy decisions and thedirection of the country.