Eastern Establishment

Cultural  

1. The elite universities and financial institutions of major cities in the northeastern United States. These institutions, by virtue of their long-standing economic and social dominance, are often believed to exert an influence out of proportion to their size. In American politics, the Eastern Establishment often takes a liberal Republican stand. (See also Ivy League, Madison Avenue, power elite, and Wall Street.)

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Example Sentences

With the West Texas city at the center of the oil boom, young George functioned as a crucial link between the Eastern Establishment, the next Republican administration, and Midland’s oil-based new wealth.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2018

Despite their privilege and power, in this story they were all outsiders taking on an Eastern Establishment.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2016

During a difficult moment in of one Rockefeller’s three failed presidential bids, a frantic aide begged him to call in the support of the so-called Eastern Establishment.

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2014

John J. McCloy, who was once considered unofficial president of the Eastern Establishment, grew so restless during a long lecture by Nixon that he started flipping his pencil into the air.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus ended the great spy trial that pitted an elegant, aristocratic cynosure of the Eastern Establishment against a rumpled, relatively obscure, former Communist.

From Time Magazine Archive