What would it take to be an Illuminati-like group?
Conspiracy theorists love to talk about a group called the Illuminati that pull the strings of world events. While there have been several real (and many more imaginary) Illuminati groups, what would it actually take to have a very powerful group remain hidden for centuries?
- How would you coordinate your activities?
- How would you recruit?
- How would you keep your "victories" sufficiently concealed as to avoid detection?
How do you build an empire of great power that no one knows about?
World Characteristics:
- Present day to near future
- Set in the US and Europe
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/20061. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
1 answer
It would take a lot of ruthlessness, and even then rumors would get out.
Any members that get out of line are eliminated, anyone that asks the wrong questions has an accident.
First, being a sociopath would be an advantage to people in this line of work. As others with the right traits came to light (sociopathic, limited conscience, focus on an ideal or goal at the expense of other people) then they would be singled out and groomed. Put in situations where their resolve is tested one step at a time, drawing them deeper and deeper, and collecting evidence and blackmail martial at the same time (though for the right candidate it won't be needed).
Once they prove they have the right stuff, then they would be approached for final recruitment.
If they flunk out then the blackmail martial would be held in case some day they get a position of power.
Coordinating activities would work the usual ways: messages, codes, rituals, business meetings, etc.
A lot if it could work through cells, where a person knows the ones they recruit, and the single person that recruited them. Then if someone gets caught doing something naughty, then you only need to take out them and the person above them to protect the organization. There would probably be a secret way to allow orphaned cells to reconnect once they have been checked to make sure they aren't compromised.
And lastly, they wouldn't need to hide their victories, just give the credit, good and bad, to others.
Take out a dangerous rival? Let a friendly police officer have the credit. Bomb an orphanage to allow for land development? Pin it on your enemies.
The biggest shield would be to take the money and power to make sure members make it into high positions, and any non members can be neutralized with blackmail or killed.
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