The concept of ruling class or ruling class was replaced by another: the English term establishment. This word refers to any person , social group or institution that has a significant influence over society as a whole .
Who is part of this select group?
A political leader, a relevant media or a financial expert have something in common: they all have a specific weight in society. Their opinions are taken into account and everything around them becomes news of general interest.
From the point of view of the globalized world, a short list of establishment could be as follows: lobbies, large corporations, representatives of the bank, some prestigious institutions, etc. Being part of the establishment is related to economic, social and media power. If a politician is part of a national parliament but is part of a minority, he cannot be said to be a member of the establishment.
To have this consideration, it is necessary to meet some general requirements:
1) that conventional positions be defended, for example, bipartisanship in the political field;
2) that the individual or collective in question has the label of winner, as no loser or marginal group has this consideration.
3) that the defended ideas are aimed at preserving the established economic and social order (it would be impossible for an anarchist group to be part of the establishment).
Establishment paradoxes
With the word establishment there is a paradox. On the one hand, those who are part of it have power, wealth or influence, but at the same time they use the term in a pejorative sense, as the establishment is considered to be a privileged club whose sole intention is to maintain its position dominant.
When a person is integrated into the establishment of his profession, he becomes a consecrated figure and, consequently, is recognized by some, but envied by others. In this sense, there may be another paradox: someone who stands up to the establishment becomes a highly valued character, and his position against the established power makes him a prominent member of the anti-establishment, which at heart is another type of establishment.
The case of the Sandinista Front
Ideals and values are not static but are subject to constant transformation. On occasion there is a curious journey from marginality to social recognition and the prestige of the establishment club.
The case of the Sandinistas in Nicaragua is an example of this curious transformation, since in the 1970s the Sandinistas were revolutionaries who defended the armed struggle and, over time, became the leading group of the nation .
