This has come up a number of times, so I have decided to create
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia%3APower_structure
to explain the current power structure of Wikipedia. Please review for any errors. The next time someone asks you whether Wikipedia is a dictatorship, or a democracy, or whatever, you can point them to this document.
Note: This is intended to apply to the English Wikipedia only; the non- English wikis all have their own power structures.
Regards,
Erik