8 - Policies That Maximize Political Power

Summary

If the goal of the political elite is to amass power, this chapter examines policies that maximize political power. Power maximization does not have specific policies associated with it, but is a process by which the elite encourage the masses to give them more power. Political platforms tend to be vague, offering the message that things are not as good now as they could be, but if you give me more power, I will make things better. People see problems and demand that the government should do something, which gives more power to those who already hold it. The chapter discusses the appeal of populism, which is based on the idea that the system is run for the benefit of the elite, and if the populist politician is given power, things will change to benefit the masses. However, the result is to replace one set of elites with another. Policies that maximize political power are those that create dependence on the political elite. This can occur by expanding the welfare state; by giving regulatory, tax, and other benefits to rent-seekers; and by creating apprehension about potential domestic and foreign threats to people’s well-being.