the Establishment


Establishment, the

the institutions, and the holders of élite positions within them, popularly regarded as constituting the culturally and politically dominant sector of society, especially members of traditionally dominant groups. Used particularly in the 1950s and 60s, it is now a term in general use, without any precise sociological meaning. Generally, it is seen as including the monarchy and the peerage, members of government and top civil servants, the Conservative Party as a whole, leading London-based members of top professions, old boys of leading public schools and Oxford and Cambridge, and so on. Sometimes leading Labour politicians, trade-union leaders, press barons, etc, are also included. Compare UPPER CLASS.