How do conspiracy theorists describe the role of the Illuminati in global events, and what evidence contradicts these claims?

The Illuminati conspiracy theory posits that a secret society called the Illuminati controls world events from behind the scenes, influencing politics, economics, and social trends. Critics of this theory argue that the Illuminati, as described, is a myth. Historical records show that the Bavarian Illuminati was a short-lived 18th-century group with no lasting influence. The symbols often associated with the Illuminati are used in various unrelated contexts, further disproving the theory.