What did C. Wright Mills mean by the term "power elite"? How do the power elite

C. Wright Mills used the term "power elite" to identify those persons in society who hold positions of great wealth and power and who make the big decisions that affect the life of the nation. The wealthy and powerful elites have a similar viewpoint of the world and their special place in it because of their shared backgrounds and vested interests. They use their power and wealth to protect their interests by influencing all major governmental decisions by working behind the scenes with elected officials. Sociologist William Domhoff argues that the power elite have become so powerful that no major decision of the U.S. government is made without their approval.