Books on world elites tend to focus on the superwealthy, but political scholar Rothkopf (Running the World) has written a serious and eminently readable evaluation of the superpowerful. Until recent decades, great-power governments provided most of the "superclass," accompanied by a few heads of international movements (i.e., the pope) and entrepreneurs (Rothschilds, Rockefellers). Today, economic clout-fueled by the explosive expansion of international trade, travel and communication-rules. The nation state's power has diminished, according to Rothkopf, shrinking politicians to minority power broker status. Leaders in international business, finance and the defense industry not only dominate the superclass, they move freely into high positions in their nations' governments and back to private life largely beyond the notice of elected legislatures (including the U.S. Congress), which remain abysmally ignorant of affairs beyond their borders. The superelites' disproportionate influence over national policy is often constructive, but always self-interested. Across the world, the author contends, few object to corruption and oppressive governments provided they can do business in these countries. Neither hand-wringing nor worshipful, this book delivers an unsettling account of what the immense and growing power of this superclass bodes for the future. (Mar.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

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A compelling, sometimes unsettling portrait of the world's most powerful men and women

About the Author

David Rothkopf is CEO of the Rothkopf Group, a consulting firm which advises on international economic and securty issues. He has written over 150 articles on international themes for the NEW YORK TIMES, the WASHINGTON POST, the FT and other leading publications worldwide.

Reviews

An entertaining and well researched taxonomy of the rich and powerful who shape foreign policy and business in our globalized world. Rothkopf gives us the story behind Davos Man - Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics and author of MAKING GLOBALIZATION WORK and GLOBALIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTSSuperclass is a pioneering study of a subject that has often been the preserve of conspiracy theorists. Mr Rothkopf is anything but a crank, and he is right when he says that, these days, the most influential people around the world are also the most global people. - The EconomistA timely book, indeed. - Sun-Herald

An entertaining and well researched taxonomy of the rich and powerful who shape foreign policy and business in our globalized world. Rothkopf gives us the story behind Davos Man - Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Prize Winner in Economics and author of MAKING GLOBALIZATION WORK and GLOBALIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTSSuperclass is a pioneering study of a subject that has often been the preserve of conspiracy theorists. Mr Rothkopf is anything but a crank, and he is right when he says that, these days, the most influential people around the world are also the most global people. - The EconomistA timely book, indeed. - Sun-Herald

They're rich, they're powerful, and they run the world. And now the author of Running the World is writing about them. With a national tour. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.