The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 120 to 140 guests from North America and Western Europe, most of whom are people of influence. About one-third are from government and politics, and two-thirds from finance, industry, labour, education and communications. Meetings are closed to the public and often feature future political leaders shortly before they become household names.[1]
Because of its exclusivity and privacy, the Bilderberg group is frequently accused by conspiracy theorists from both extremes of the political spectrum of being an all-powerful secret society fixing the fate of the world behind closed doors for nefarious ends.[1] Critics of Bilderberg conspiracy theories counter that it is nothing more than a policy discussion forum and social club, which only serves as a means to brainstorm, reach consensus, and create social cohesion within the power elite of North American and Western European nations, to better promote Atlantic free-market capitalism and its interests around the globe.[1][2][3]
- BBC News Online (7 June 2011). Bilderberg mystery: Why do people believe in cabals?. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- Berlet, Chip (September 2004). Interview: G. William Domhoff. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- Wilford, Hugh (September 2003). "CIA plot, socialist conspiracy, or new world order? the origins of the Bilderberg group, 1952-55". Diplomacy & Statecraft, Volume 14, Issue 3, pages 70 - 82. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
