This dissertation examines the global elite clubs, focusing on the Bilderberg Group, a transatlantic forum. It challenges both paranoid and benign views of such groups. Theoretically, it underscores the importance of neo-Marxism and supports the idea of a transnational capitalist class (TCC), particularly a Euro-Atlantic TCC, with Europe being the most cohesive faction. Empirically, it utilizes data from the Bilderberg Group's official website and compiles new datasets on post-Cold War Bilderberg conferences, offering insights into attendees and discussion topics. The research suggests that while the Bilderberg Group remains influential, its power is waning, as evidenced by events like Brexit and the failure of TTIP. The study also explores the idea that attending Bilderberg meetings can boost political careers, noting many attendees later held significant political roles. Lastly, the dissertation observes that while the Bilderberg Group is no longer a media taboo, only a few outlets, like The Guardian, consistently cover its meetings.
Bilderberg conference in 2017 took place near the White House and its agenda included the
topic of Donald Trump's policies that caused friction in transatlantic alliance. Skelton inferred
that most Bilderbergers did not like Trump's course. He speculated that Bilderberg Group
could try to discipline or even depose Trump: “Perched ominously at the top of the
conference agenda this year are these words: “The Trump Administration: A progress
report”. Is the president going to be put in detention for tweeting in class? Held back a year?
Or told to empty his locker and leave? If ever there’s a place where a president could hear
the words “you’re fired!”, it’s Bilderberg.” (The Guardian, 1.6.2017)
Still, many big names belong to the group of politicians, who got promoted after their
appearance at Bilderberg conference(s). Examples include both right-wing and left-wing
politicians like Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Stephen Harper,
Pedro Sánchez, Alfred Gusenbauer, Stefan Löfven, Antonio Guterres, Jose Manuel Barroso,
Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Christine Lagarde, Kristalina Georgieva, Jens
Stoltenberg, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Paul Wolfowitz, Robert
Zoellick, Pascal Lamy
The chapter argues that globalization has become the new grand theme of virtually
all social sciences. It supports the uncommon view that globalization is an elite-driven
phenomenon. Therefore, global elite should be at the center of scholarly investigations. In
this context, the chapter concludes that neo-Marxism is best equipped to address the topic
of global elite. The reason lies in the virtues of neo-Marxist concept of transnational
capitalist class (TCC). The review of the literature on TCC is probably the most thorough one,
because it also includes less known authors. The chapter stresses that neo-Marxists are the
only academics who relatively systematically study transnational elite clubs. Origins of the
TCC theory dates back to Stephen Gill's pioneering analysis of Trilateral Commission.
Trump did not attend any Bilderberg conference and it is not clear why. He was
probably never invited. But it is also possible that he declined the (hypothetical) invitation. In
any case, Trump's collaborators participated at Bilderberg conferences, especially at the
conference in 2017, which took place in US Chantilly. This gathering was attended by three
Trump's men – the secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross, the national security advisor Herbert
McMaster and the assistant to the president for strategic initiatives Christopher Liddell.
Moreover, Trump's relative and advisor Jared Kushner appeared at Bilderberg meeting in
2019. Plus, the billionaire investor and Trump's supporter and advisor Peter Thiel is member
of Bilderberg Group's steering committee. Even if only via these people, Bilderbergers had
“channels” for communication with Trump. Yet, they obviously could not persuade him to
change the more protectionist and isolationist White House policies.
Dissertation Abstract Summary:
This dissertation examines the global elite clubs, focusing on the Bilderberg Group, a transatlantic forum. It challenges both paranoid and benign views of such groups. Theoretically, it underscores the importance of neo-Marxism and supports the idea of a transnational capitalist class (TCC), particularly a Euro-Atlantic TCC, with Europe being the most cohesive faction. Empirically, it utilizes data from the Bilderberg Group's official website and compiles new datasets on post-Cold War Bilderberg conferences, offering insights into attendees and discussion topics. The research suggests that while the Bilderberg Group remains influential, its power is waning, as evidenced by events like Brexit and the failure of TTIP. The study also explores the idea that attending Bilderberg meetings can boost political careers, noting many attendees later held significant political roles. Lastly, the dissertation observes that while the Bilderberg Group is no longer a media taboo, only a few outlets, like The Guardian, consistently cover its meetings.
Bilderberg conference in 2017 took place near the White House and its agenda included the topic of Donald Trump's policies that caused friction in transatlantic alliance. Skelton inferred that most Bilderbergers did not like Trump's course. He speculated that Bilderberg Group could try to discipline or even depose Trump: “Perched ominously at the top of the conference agenda this year are these words: “The Trump Administration: A progress report”. Is the president going to be put in detention for tweeting in class? Held back a year? Or told to empty his locker and leave? If ever there’s a place where a president could hear the words “you’re fired!”, it’s Bilderberg.” (The Guardian, 1.6.2017)
Still, many big names belong to the group of politicians, who got promoted after their appearance at Bilderberg conference(s). Examples include both right-wing and left-wing politicians like Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Stephen Harper, Pedro Sánchez, Alfred Gusenbauer, Stefan Löfven, Antonio Guterres, Jose Manuel Barroso, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Christine Lagarde, Kristalina Georgieva, Jens Stoltenberg, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Paul Wolfowitz, Robert Zoellick, Pascal Lamy
The chapter argues that globalization has become the new grand theme of virtually all social sciences. It supports the uncommon view that globalization is an elite-driven phenomenon. Therefore, global elite should be at the center of scholarly investigations. In this context, the chapter concludes that neo-Marxism is best equipped to address the topic of global elite. The reason lies in the virtues of neo-Marxist concept of transnational capitalist class (TCC). The review of the literature on TCC is probably the most thorough one, because it also includes less known authors. The chapter stresses that neo-Marxists are the only academics who relatively systematically study transnational elite clubs. Origins of the TCC theory dates back to Stephen Gill's pioneering analysis of Trilateral Commission.
Trump did not attend any Bilderberg conference and it is not clear why. He was probably never invited. But it is also possible that he declined the (hypothetical) invitation. In any case, Trump's collaborators participated at Bilderberg conferences, especially at the conference in 2017, which took place in US Chantilly. This gathering was attended by three Trump's men – the secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross, the national security advisor Herbert McMaster and the assistant to the president for strategic initiatives Christopher Liddell. Moreover, Trump's relative and advisor Jared Kushner appeared at Bilderberg meeting in 2019. Plus, the billionaire investor and Trump's supporter and advisor Peter Thiel is member of Bilderberg Group's steering committee. Even if only via these people, Bilderbergers had “channels” for communication with Trump. Yet, they obviously could not persuade him to change the more protectionist and isolationist White House policies.