Michael Korda, the author of Power!, recently was asked to draw up a list of the most powerful people in America. His findings were published in an article called, "The Gradual Decline and Total Collapse of Nearly Everyone" (Family Weekly Magazine, Aug. 29, 1982). Korda said, " … the list of movers and shakers is not at all easy to draw up. In fact, there are very few powerful figures left in American life."

"Not so long ago teachers ran their classes; generals (or sergeants) ran the Army; policemen were feared and obeyed; college presidents were respected figures, remote and awesome … and so on down the line. America was, in effect, ruled by authority figures."

Unless one has been asleep through the '60s and '70s it is surely apparent that all this has changed. Korda says, "It is the result of a long process, the consequence of our fear of power and authority … " Two whole generations have turned against the very idea of power.

"Power, it was felt, had led to abuse. ...