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[+]Stalgondo0 points1 point1 point
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(edited ago)
[–]Stalgondo0 points
1 point
1 point
(+1|-0)
ago
(edited ago)
Centralized power structures of all kinds are fundamentally flawed by their very nature, in that sociopaths crave power and concentrations of power always attract sociopaths like moths to flame.
Typically, those who form and watch power structures early on are able to detect and combat attempts to seize it for malicious intent. However, as time passes, vigilance wains and sociopaths adapt to the system to find a way to game it for their benefit. Sociopaths are naturally more driven to gain power than benevolent people, and they are willing to resort to more cut throat tactics with greater risks.
The first thing that sociopaths do is ensure that they can operate with impunity within the power structure, usually through nepotism. After that they will carry out the transformation of the power structure in such a way that it can reshape things to suit them more. These changes gradually erode faith in the system, which in turn causes the sociopaths to respond with direct and brutal methods of control. This leads to further erosion in faith until the foundation crumbles and the entire thing falls apart.
Michael Huemer's book "The Problem of Political Authority" details this process very well, and I highly encourage everyone interested in this process to read it. The problem we are dealing with is as old as the first laws. I don't think there is a great way to solve it - the only way that seems to work in the long term is to eliminate power structures and rely on spontaneous order.
If I were to suggest a method for dealing with the problem caused by sociopaths and nepotism, it would be to eliminate mods almost altogether. If there is any mod at all, it should be a spam removal bot.
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[–] Stalgondo 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Centralized power structures of all kinds are fundamentally flawed by their very nature, in that sociopaths crave power and concentrations of power always attract sociopaths like moths to flame.
Typically, those who form and watch power structures early on are able to detect and combat attempts to seize it for malicious intent. However, as time passes, vigilance wains and sociopaths adapt to the system to find a way to game it for their benefit. Sociopaths are naturally more driven to gain power than benevolent people, and they are willing to resort to more cut throat tactics with greater risks.
The first thing that sociopaths do is ensure that they can operate with impunity within the power structure, usually through nepotism. After that they will carry out the transformation of the power structure in such a way that it can reshape things to suit them more. These changes gradually erode faith in the system, which in turn causes the sociopaths to respond with direct and brutal methods of control. This leads to further erosion in faith until the foundation crumbles and the entire thing falls apart.
Michael Huemer's book "The Problem of Political Authority" details this process very well, and I highly encourage everyone interested in this process to read it. The problem we are dealing with is as old as the first laws. I don't think there is a great way to solve it - the only way that seems to work in the long term is to eliminate power structures and rely on spontaneous order.
If I were to suggest a method for dealing with the problem caused by sociopaths and nepotism, it would be to eliminate mods almost altogether. If there is any mod at all, it should be a spam removal bot.