C. Wright Mills described the top leaders as the

• A. Upper class
• B. Gov't elite
• C. Elite cadre
• D. Power elite

Answer: (D)

The top leaders are described as the power elite. This label captures Mills’ idea that a very small, interconnected group—drawn from government, the military, and major corporations—exercises the real control over national decisions. They share social networks, backgrounds, and access to influential positions, which allows them to coordinate policy and shape the direction of society beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

This is different from simply being part of the upper class, which emphasizes wealth rather than the specific ability to steer government and national outcomes. It’s also broader than just a government elite, which would limit power to political offices, ignoring the influential roles played by military and corporate leaders. The phrase elite cadre isn’t the term Mills used; he named the influence-bearing group the power elite to highlight how these few insiders hold centralized, cross-sector power.