Upon re-reading Sutton's work I find the work valuable, but also at times highly speculative and slight on key evidence at certain junctures, whereby the author jumps to conclusions on a hair trigger, based on some fairly large assumptions, especially regarding the use of what he believes is the prime MO of "The Order," the Hegelian Dialectic.

Investigating a immensely secretive group such as this, with high level, deeply embedded power elite connections, will result oft-times in scanty evidence as to its true internal dynamics; but there seems to be no basis at all (crucially, for example, the lack of any texts written by The Order and/or reading lists marking Hegel as the prime influence, even their raison d'être) for Sutton to so resolutely state that the reason Bonesmen have had fingers in so many pies (often on both sides of a conflict, armed or ideological) is a piece of social engineering on a grand scale in order to effect the necessary change in the flow of history.
And not perhaps, being profiteers of the highest order, they merely seek the maximum of reward by backing both horses in two-horse derby.

This is not to say that Skull and Bones are substanceless scapegoats, the result of projected fears of the Christian Conservative Right; such groups do not achieve the occupation of the corridors of power and high commerce their membership roster reflects without good reason. It's also not to say that Sutton is incorrect in his prime assertion (which is a perennial since in the study of clandestine organizations seen to have conspiratorial agendas), I would just like to see far more evidence than he provides. More than stating that the founding members of the order were bound to have been caught up in the swirl of Hegelian discussion in German universities in the mid-1830s, and the implication is that it influenced their mindsets so much that an entire world-changing gameplan came into being, that old conspiracy theory chestnut of thesis + antithesis = synthesis.
The main problem I have with this idea, where progress occurs for entire nations & cultures via the clash of monumental contrived pieces of geo-political theatre , is that I see this as anathema to any ruling elite. They do not want progress of this kind. Of any kind. They want more of the same, all the time, forever, thank you very much. They want to arrest the development of history, solidify the position of their bloodlines and interests, keep the same old, same old, same old rolling along into eternity.
It's the more common sense alternative to the overarching, cosmic Hegelian dialectical "state as the march of God on earth" position of Sutton. If Sutton hadn't believed that The Order sought to supplant God on this earthly plane then he, having been a staunch Christian, possibly wouldn't have pursued this particular narrative with such verve.
I would argue that any ruling elite doesn't wish to alter the flow of history, they want it set in stone. The massive volatile dynamic put forward by Sutton seems at odds with the realities of the consolidation of power.
Having more home players occupying key roles on all sides would perhaps seek to influence policy, yes; but only to create a single thesis, no antithesis, no consequent synthesis. Maintain the status quo, keep profits rolling in via the economic machinery they own, maintain stagnant, muddy waters below.
Let the proles wallow in it, which is what any ruling elite practices.

This would be my counterpoint to Sutton, if members of The Order (or any other power elite group) could hold such sway, is that there could be only a single thesis ruling the roost, brooking no opposition, real or artificial; directing more war, more profits, keeping the gravy train flowing, raping and pillaging, the very same story that has been told for a millennia. The more things seem to change, the more they really stay the same. There is no progress of the malevolent, grand evil genius kind.
Nothing ever really changes. ( )