power structure: Meaning and Definition of

pow'er struc"ture

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. the system of authority or influence in government, politics, education, etc.: The state elections threatened to upset the existing power structure.
  2. the people who participate in such a system: She hoped to become a part of the power structure.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.