Einflussreiche

Einflussreiche is a German term used to describe individuals or groups who wield substantial influence in public life. It denotes people whose actions, decisions, or opinions can shape politics, the economy, media, science, or culture. In journalistic and academic writing, Einflussreiche is often used to refer to a relatively small set of actors who have outsized impact compared with the general population.

Etymology and grammar: The word is built from Einfluss (influence) and reich (rich/abundant). The adjective einflussreich means influential, while the noun form der Einflussreiche (singular) and die Einflussreichen (plural) refer to influential people. The plural form is common in analyses of power structures and social dynamics.

Context and usage: The concept overlaps with elite theory, power networks, and social capital. Influence can derive from formal positions (heads of state, corporate leaders) or from informal channels (media reach, cultural authority, expert engagement). Researchers study Einflussreiche to understand decision-making, policy formation, and social change, while journalists describe figures who shape public discourse and opinion.

See also: Macht, Elite, Einfluss, Elitenforschung. In English-language literature, related terminology such as "influentials" is used to discuss similar ideas about opinion leaders and actors who disproportionately affect others.