Who belongs in the elite? Major hierarchies or organizations, as Mills argues, can vary considerably from one society to another. For sure, the state’s major leaders and public policy makers consti9tute a centre of power. Business leaders and entrepreneurs whose interests are closely tied to the government are also part of the elite, particularly where there are clear networks of interaction and influence between those business interests and the state. The top leadership and executive of political parties are ambiguously linked to the state. Obviously where they directly participate in government or play key roles in legislatures, they are part of this elite. Yet, some parties might be marginal and represent groups that the neither well represented nor powerful. In some societies, other key organizations have lots of influence an their leadership maintains close contacts with the government. These can include religious, ethnic or professional organizations, depending on the society.