The anatomy of power

The premise that power will automatically concentrate^[1] in any society to a point where it compromises the further development and even the survival of that society, is a tenet of this world view.  The tenet warrants elaboration to help us determine what countervailing actions might be taken to stem the entrenchment of privilege and the concentration of power. 

What are the social mechanisms by which power and wealth concentrate in any society?  There are six broad mechanisms: 

1. Nepotism
Those that have power and resources help others up the power structure but are heavily biased about whom they offer that help to; 

2. Obstruction
Those that have power and resources set up barriers below them to protect themselves from uninvited climbers;

3. Neutralisation
Those that have power will use any means, fair or foul, to retain it, and will seek to neutralise anyone or anything that threatens their hold on power;       

 4. Sycophancy
Most of us offer what power and resources we have, along with the promise of conformity, to those who have more power and resources, so that we ourselves may be helped up to a higher level in the power structure;

5. Personal Imperialism 
Those that are addicted to power and resources have an insatiable appetite for more of both, and will use whatever means are available to them, whether legally or illegally, to acquire more of both;

6. Acquiescence 
The great majority of people are risk averse and do not challenge the status quo and its power structure.  They will keep their heads down, stay out of trouble, and conform to the expectations and rules set for the many by the few even when they are very unhappy with the status quo.

When the normally acquiescent do eventually revolt they often do so as an ineffective and fragmented rabble incapable of establishing a lasting and equitable new order.  Before long the old elite reasserts itself, perhaps under a different guise, and the concentration of power continues its course.