In this information age, most things seem to be just a click away. Yet, groups continue operating in the shadows. These secret societies pull levers behind global politics, business, and society in largely inexpressible ways to the public eye. But then they would not be very mainstream organizations. They gain power every second. They shape a world that often turns out quite disconcertingly for those thinking they truly understand it. Secret societies are things that, throughout history, have enchanted as well as terrified the minds of many. Their names, like Freemasons and the Illuminati, in several conspiracy theories. One can find their members on a who’s-who list of those with vast influences. During the last decades, secret societies mushroomed anew, lying under the radar, often obscure and far-flung. Unobtrusive, few notice them as their circle widens to encircle millions. Today, these clandestine webs are among the fastest sprouting, most formidable institutions in the world.
The Rise of Modern Secret Societies
Though there were many secret societies through the times, the emergence of the same in the modern world took a completely different turn. With the advent of the Internet, globalization, and interlinking of businesses, politics, and culture, these groups are now working effectively and secretly, as was never known before. Having enormous information, sophisticated technology, and financial networks across the world, these secret societies are increasingly in a position to influence events around the world for their own gain.
Some of these groups have historical roots, while others are an altogether new creation of the last decades. What really binds them together is a commitment to secrecy and an ability to work at arm’s length that provides them with the potential to influence main industries, politics, and economies without raising suspicion.
More interesting in the world of modern secret societies, however, is how they are able to influence policy from local to international. In various cloistered environments in which power is always behind the scenes, and can manipulate any political turmoil, a financial crisis, or even a social movement with ease.
The New Players in the World of Secret Societies
Whereas a great deal has been written about older societies-from the Freemasons through to the Bilderberg Group-a number of new and burgeoning organizations rival these in terms of power, capitalizing on a rapidly changing world landscape.
Of these, probably the most important that modern times have given us is that of the Deep State: an unofficial organ, meaning informal designation applied to an unofficial organ that acts wholly outside of the purview of elected officials. The Deep State has been accused of immense influence on political decisions and world events with almost no accountability for their actions. This shadow structure is presumed to be of such a nature that its members will hold important positions in government sectors, military establishments, intelligence agencies, and multinational companies and who will manipulate policy, security matters, and economic outcomes behind the scenes.
From the formulation of foreign policy to running covert operations that toppled entire countries, the influence of the Deep State reportedly reached pivotal moments in world history. While perhaps not a “society” in the true sense of the word, the Deep State acts like one with its shared agenda of command and expansion of interests even outside the boundaries of democratic oversight.
Another on the rise is The Order of the Skull and Bones: a secret society of Yale, also purportedly filled with the cream of power elitists from political and financial positions. The very elitist membership of this group keeps the inner actions of it veiled. Initiated members, “Bonesmen,” top-of-the-list personalities in political and financial arenas include former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Skull and Bones promise a network of influential friends, wealth, and political power to its members. Many speculate about the role it plays in shaping global events since most land in top positions in the different sectors. Its secrecy is both its strength when operating and against scrutiny, while influence spreads even further.
Corporate and Financial Secret Societies
Although the secret societies have always been thickly interwoven into the financial networks, recently, the link of business elites and secretive organizations reached an unprecedented level. There is a rumor about a new generation of business-society links-merging spheres of finance, entrepreneurship, and global power. Examples include an organization that has commanded speculation, The World Economic Forum (WEF), a platform where leaders of the business world, politicians, and academia meet to discuss key global issues.
While the WEF is by no means a secret society, most of the meetings being closely guarded and closed to the outsider has indeed raised speculation about the involvement of the WEF in drafting global policy. Each year, the WEF holds a yearly meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where business moguls, heads of state, and international influencers all meet. So much of the discussion involves closed meetings, and is secretive, that the WEF has gained the accusations that it truly represents an elite network of decision-makers calling the shots on the future of the global economy.
Some even believe such conferences are a way of shadow government, whereby economic and political policies are decided without scrutiny by the public. One cannot overestimate the role of WEF and generally such organizations in view of the power they wield because for their decisions, everything rests on-from world trade to climate change policies, from economic development to technological innovations. But since all this influence remains rather hidden from view, they go on operating without accountability by the public.
Probably the other financial powerhouse often associated with secretive operations has something to do with Goldman Sachs. This global investment bank has lain at the heart of an array of scandals these many years, and conspiracy theorists insist that the structure in which this has happened, major financial crises such as that which occurred in 2008 to the current European debt crisis, is more coincidental than involved. Many of its retired employees and officers go on to become influential in political life, further fusing private financial interests with public governance. While Goldman Sachs is a legitimate business enterprise, its close involvement with powerful global players and apparent capability to shape economic policy have made many believe that it may be working in secretive ways.
Technological and Digital Influence
In modern times, technology has emerged as one of the most powerful weapons in the hands of secret societies. The organizations that thrive on information flow and management of global narratives now have access to digital infrastructure at levels unimaginable before. Now, with the power of data analytics-from social media platforms to search engines-it rests in the hands of a few to manipulate public opinion and influence the course of elections.
Among the organizations that raised eyebrows for technological reach, Palantir Technologies stands at the fore-a data analytics company with strong experience in government and corporate intelligence. Though declaring its ability to deliver on all fronts, from counter-terrorism to corporate security, Palantir has come under criticism for secretive operations and collecting and analyzing high amounts of personal information. Some of the major government clients include the CIA and FBI, and its other gigantic clients are massive, multi-national corporations. In fact, that raises a host of questions regarding the probable role which could be performed within shaping events at a worldwide perspective due to potential data collecting ability and intelligence.
Besides, such tech giants as Google, Facebook, and Amazon are suspected of habitually acting in a manner serving the interests of élite powerful agents against open public discourses. However, massive data storage by such companies, along with increased political influence in international relations and global economics, has given many grounds for referring to them as secret societies of the digital world: “hidden networks” that determine the course of ideas, shape public opinion, and even alter people’s perception of reality.
The Influence of Secret Societies on Global Politics
A lot remains in the background. Still, secret societies undoubtedly affect much of global politics. Some focus on economic gains. Others aim to achieve dominance in technological realms. All these efforts further a political agenda through control of a country’s political machinery.
A very good example of such activity is the so-called Bilderberg Group. It is a yearly congress. It joins several of the most influential political leaders, chief executives, and dons of the world. Its meeting is not open to public audiences and press. This exclusivity leads to speculation. Many believe it holds the central role in shaping the course of world political history. They have been accused of controlling elections and engineering wars. They also set policies based on the selfish desires of their members rather than the will of the people.
Another secretive organization is said to wield a large amount of influence in foreign policymaking in the United States. This organization is the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). The CFR has long been suspected of promoting government decisions for corporate interests. This suspicion ranges from former U.S. presidents to key officials in the State Department. These interests often come at the expense of the general populace. The amount of power held by the CFR on global political issues is vast. It ranges from trade agreements to military interventions. This has raised serious concerns about its unchecked powers.
To this day, these and many other organisations stay shrouded in secrecy. They keep an elite network of people who pull the strings of world power. Meanwhile, the rest of the world remains oblivious of their real intentions.
The Shadowy Future of Secret Societies
As the world shrinks, so the influence of secret societies will only increase. They are invisible groups that operate behind the scenes. They pull strings on all levels of political, corporate, technological, and financial operation. Their aim is to try to set in motion world events and outcomes. These actions are preordained in their unseen agenda. Due to the very nature of their secret and veiled activities, little can be said of these groups in history. Confronted with the increasing array of global challenges, societies face everything from climate change to geopolitical tensions. The extent of their actual power is still a mystery. Few seem willing to confront this mystery.
As these shadowy networks of control grow and expand, one thing is certain. The line that separates what is known from what is not will continue to blur. The world is watching. However, most of the powerful players are behind the scenes. They are tugging levers into their places and shaping the future. These players are never in the spotlight.