The Philosophers
From the Metal Gear Wiki
The Philosophers were a secret group of the most wealthy and powerful minds from the United States, Russia, and China formed after the first World War. In theory, these three groups were already driving political forces in their respective countries. This first group of members was named the Wisemen's Committee. Their assembly pooled their wealth and, for several decades, established a unseen union between the three nations.
Through World War II, the power and reach of the Philosophers grew exponentially. They were now the unquestioned force behind each government. They ran independent political forces, had their own agents, and trained schools of operatives that would undermine seats of power throughout other governments. When the last members of the original Wisemen's Committee died after World War II, the enormous wealth generated by their unions was broken apart and scattered to accounts and other hiding places throughout the three nations. An estimated total of one hundred billion dollars was spread across the nation, completely known only by a select few. This wealth became known as The Philosophers' Legacy.
Colonel Volgin's own father, through some illegitimate means, was able to secure the legacy almost in entirety, and Volgin inherited it. It was the Legacy that enabled him to build his fortress, Groznyj Grad, and many projects, including the Shagohod. His resources were practically unlimited.
With the death of the Wisemen's Committee, tensions rose between the nations and among the Philosophers. Which was cause and which was effect is unclear; either discord among the Philosophers caused the Cold War between the nations, or the Cold War between the nations caused discord among the Philosophers. Either ways, the loss of the legacy and breakdown of allegiance disbanded the Philosophers in most respects. Each nation retained its own remaining 'Philosophers.' After attaining the Philosophers' Legacy via Philosophers sleeper agent Ocelot, the American Philosophers became known as The Patriots, and they continued their omnipotence over the American government and way of life.
