The Illuminati - Some Thoughts
Some ideas on the Illuminati...
Well as far as a secret society goes the Illuminati haven't done an excellent job at remaining secret in recent years have they?
As far as history can be involved I think it is true to express that the Illuminati were a secret society, told have formed inside the late 18th Century in Bavaria - well as trying to be correct a date of 1776 has been proposed. It is not easy to piece together any meaningful reputation this 'society' as the whole subject has become tainted with poorly referenced conspiracy paranoia, pseudo-historical analyses and the odd fraud (hoax) or two.
illuminati
Beginning with the choice of name - Illuminati - it appears that the society professed to stay in line with some type of information or approach that made its members 'the enlightened'. It is likely that they had a republican political agenda which included the abolition of monarchies. It's further suggested which they tried to bring about change by way of subterfuge, secrecy, and conspiracy, such as infiltration of other organizations. They weren't very successful and were destroyed, or at least outlawed, within 15 years of their origin (Pipes 1997).
The founder is reputed to become Adam Weishaupt from the University of Ingolstadt and yes it appears that the society's aims were closely linked to ideas from the Enlightenment i.e. to combat religious thinking and promote and encourage rationalism. Wieshaupt was an anti-monarchist and secularist which, obviously, informed the type of the society he created. In 1777, Karl Theodor became ruler of Bavaria and, in 1784, his government banned all secret societies like the Illuminati and they disbanded (or perhaps were imprisoned, 'destroyed' or otherwise not dispatched!)
conspiracies
There is no empirical evidence until this society survived the 1700s.
What we hear of today is often a melange of conspiracy theories from where have at their core the notion of some kind of elite, powerful and possibly wealthy 'secret society' behind veils of other 'secret' at least 'clandestine' groups.
Like an onion skin, although conspiracy theorists would prefer the image of a pyramid, the surface layers are the lowest amount New World Order movers and shakers and at the core can be found the Illuminati.
We occasionally are told that this inner core of runs by a number of key families (13 is frequently quoted for effect more than genealogy) whose 'bloodlines' are linked and possibly manipulated by visitors from another world.
This inner core of individuals is so secret that this families are actually named on several websites...Their existence is really shadowy that they insist on leaving symbols of their very existence behind for all of us mere mortals to discover...
This then could be the real Illuminati!
Seems like they are certainly not doing a very good job at keeping their manipulative presence hidden!
After all stop for a moment to take into account some simple ideas.
The bloodlines of monarchy and aristocracy are incredibly likely to be linked regardless, what with marriage to be the vehicle by which alliances were created. Such links don't require the organising agents of 'secret' human societies not to mention the interference from some passing aliens - or are we missing the point?
Of course there are 'symbols' which seem to survive and be repeated every once in awhile and place to place. Being a species we are very good at creating symbolic language and meaningful patterns (you're reading some right now)... AND of course some 'magical symbols' will form section of our everyday society because they have been a part of our psyche for the very long time. Assuming these symbols require any other significance is a little a stretch. The 'Great Seal' on US currency is often quoted being Masonic or Illuminati in origin being designed by Illuminati, or at least High Degree Freemasons. In the event you really check this story out (see Skeptoid) there are many than enough questions raised which serve to question the key assumptions in the conspiracy theorists rhetoric.
What can Governments do?
They rule, they plan, they organise, they fight, they mentioned sovereignty!
There's no need to imagine a global conspiracy to describe the actions of Governments.
Now here's where there is, perhaps, a component of truth in all of the Conspiracy Theories you've ever heard. It seems obvious to me that Governments cannot tell us the truth all of the time, truth ingredient a relative concept, and there are things that must be over a need to know basis. Moreover some major Governments have been shown to be involved with somewhat dodgy dealings and definitely individuals within Governments are certainly not above corruption, error and just being wrong.
The simple fact the 'the truth outs' from many of these accidental, and not so accidental, cover-ups seems to belie the existence of ability to 'keep' tricks of any real magnitude.
Perhaps there exists a rule of thumb that is worth exploring - the more people who need to be involved in any form of cover-up or covert action the Unlikely it is to be possible.