"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organised habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.
We are governed, our minds molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organised. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society."
'Propaganda' by Edward Bernays.
The first two paragraphs of this book above clearly give an immediate idea as to what is going on as here you have a member of perhaps the lower elite hierarchy basically telling you the truth. The book is not exactly an engaging read but there's a good few other quotes that I might mention later.