"The Dictator's Handbook" by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith reveals the simple principles used by everyone from CEO's, politicians, and autocrats to gather and consolidate power, depending on as few people as possible.
The general population is rarely important in this process, and of course (if you are among those accreting power) you want keep them in the dark. The illusion of participation is very important to the institutionalization of power for yourself in any kind of system, especially ones that think they are democracies.
As might be expected, to the degree they are good at it, the less the governing class needs to concern themselves with good governance or policy. And again, in the "real" Gov 101 its rule #1 that the populace doesn't understand that.
Mind bending? I think so, but I appreciate even more as a mental/citizen level up.
These are the principles they should teach kids in government class in elementary school. History without understanding this is just a database of facts.
The general population is rarely important in this process, and of course (if you are among those accreting power) you want keep them in the dark. The illusion of participation is very important to the institutionalization of power for yourself in any kind of system, especially ones that think they are democracies.
As might be expected, to the degree they are good at it, the less the governing class needs to concern themselves with good governance or policy. And again, in the "real" Gov 101 its rule #1 that the populace doesn't understand that.
Mind bending? I think so, but I appreciate even more as a mental/citizen level up.
These are the principles they should teach kids in government class in elementary school. History without understanding this is just a database of facts.