Modern Conspiracies #3: Council on Foreign Relations (CFR McLuhan Analysis)

The phrase "the medium is the message," coined by media theorist Marshall McLuhan, suggests that the medium through which information is delivered influences people just as much, if not more than, the content itself. The form, method, or system of communication shapes the experience and impact of the message. When applied to the CFR (or similar organizations), the medium—in this case, the manner in which CFR operates, its symbolic significance, and its public representation—may reveal more about its role and impact on society than the specific policy discussions or decisions it makes.

Key Observations Using McLuhan’s "Medium is the Message" Framework:

1. Secrecy as the Medium

The CFR is a private, influential organization that plays a role in shaping foreign policy, often behind closed doors. Secrecy or exclusivity is the medium in which it operates, and this secrecy itself can shape perceptions and reinforce power dynamics.
Secrecy = Power: The medium of secrecy reinforces the message that true power lies in private decisions among elites, away from the scrutiny of the public. This suggests that those who have access to these private spaces (i.e., the elites who control the CFR) are the true shapers of world events, further entrenching elite control over global matters.
The message isn’t necessarily about specific policies but about the legitimacy of unelected individuals or groups having the final say in global affairs, reinforcing a sense of disempowerment for the public.

2. Elite Networks as the Medium

The CFR functions as a nexus for the elite networks of political, economic, and intellectual power, drawing together influential individuals, including presidents, CEOs, academics, and diplomats. The medium of the CFR—this exclusive network of power brokers—delivers the message that political decisions are made by a small, interconnected group of individuals rather than by broad public consensus or democratic processes.
Message: The world is controlled and shaped by networks of elites, and these networks often operate in a way that reinforces the existing social, political, and economic hierarchies. The medium reinforces the narrative that the general public's involvement in policy decisions is secondary, or even irrelevant.

3. Influence via Media, Publications, and Discourse

The CFR influences the mainstream media through its publications (like Foreign Affairs) and its expert contributions to policy discussions. The very fact that it is embedded within mainstream media and academic discourse lends the CFR’s views an aura of legitimacy and authority. The medium of media and academic publishing isn’t just delivering content—it’s presenting the CFR’s voice as a guiding authority in shaping public perception of foreign policy.
Message: The medium itself (i.e., expert-led media discourse) subtly suggests that those who control information channels (whether media, academia, or think tanks) are the true drivers of public thought. It reinforces the idea of expertise as a tool of control, where those who are viewed as knowledgeable or elite shape the narratives the public consumes, making it harder for the general population to critically assess or challenge these narratives.

4. Rituals of Power and Symbolism

The CFR has strong symbolic elements that emphasize the rituals of power: its exclusive membership, invitation-only nature, and its high-level conferences (like the annual meeting) are ritualistic mediums that emphasize exclusivity and the idea of power being concentrated in the hands of a few. The ritual of exclusivity is the message here, reinforcing the social and political divisions between "insiders" and "outsiders".
Message: Membership in the CFR is a symbolic badge of power, privilege, and access to decision-making that is far removed from the general public’s reach. These rituals and symbols of elite membership reinforce the structure of global governance by the few.

5. Globalism as the Medium

The CFR, through its membership and activities, is a strong proponent of globalism—the belief in a more interconnected world in which nations cooperate, often at the expense of national sovereignty. The medium of CFR’s globalist ideology is delivered not just through policy but through public diplomacy, international conferences, and transnational relationships.
Message: Globalism, as the medium, subtly communicates the idea that national borders and local sovereignty are outdated or even obstacles to solving global problems. It suggests that the real power lies in supranational institutions (like the UN, World Bank, or IMF), and by promoting this medium, the CFR is reinforcing the message that the world is best managed by interconnected elites rather than by the whims of individual nations.

6. The Public Perception of CFR’s Role

CFR’s public image as a think tank and advisory body is a key part of the medium that shapes the public's perception of its role in policymaking. By presenting itself as an impartial, nonpartisan organization dedicated to informed, objective analysis, the CFR’s activities are framed as beneficial to all of humanity. However, the medium of expertise and knowledge is used to cloak the more subtle political and economic interests at play behind its policies.
Message: The medium of “objective expertise” reinforces the idea that the best decisions are made by those with the most knowledge—thus framing the CFR as a neutral authority, while in reality, its recommendations often serve the interests of powerful corporations, governments, or international elites. It conveys the idea that public interest is best served through top-down decision-making from the so-called “best and brightest” rather than from democratic participation.

7. The CFR’s History as the Medium

The historical context of the CFR, as an institution founded in the aftermath of World War I with the goal of promoting international cooperation, is also significant. Its history as a globalist institution, connected to elite financial and political interests, is a crucial part of the medium through which the CFR’s current messaging is filtered.
Message: The history of CFR as an elite institution connected to the formation of institutions of global governance reinforces the message that global problems require global solutions, but these solutions are best handled by an elite, often non-democratic, governing class that is above the fray of national politics.

Conclusion:

Using McLuhan’s framework, the CFR itself is a medium—its very existence, structure, methods of influence, and symbols convey messages about who holds power and how it is exercised in the global order. The medium of secrecy, elite networks, expert knowledge, and ritualistic exclusivity sends the message that power resides in the hands of a small, interconnected group of individuals, often removed from public scrutiny or democratic control. The CFR's control over discourse and decision-making, especially in matters of global policy, reinforces a world order where expert-led decision-making is seen as the only viable solution to complex global problems, even though it often serves elite interests more than the collective good.

Ultimately, the CFR's role as both a medium and a message can be seen as a reflection of the larger dynamics of control, division, and elite power that we discussed earlier. The CFR may present itself as a neutral space for policymaking, but its very nature—its medium—encourages certain messages about governance, globalism, and democracy that keep public participation limited and elite control in place.

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