One book I found interesting is “Political Order & Political Decay.” I have given it a Medium review.

Francis Fukuyama takes us a journey of about 15 civilizations as they rose and fell. There is a common pattern called patrimonialism, which can be briefly explained as “giving one’s progeny the benefits of privilege.”

When a new civilization was created from the collapse of a previous civilization, often the new rulers understood the effects of patrimonialism. They tried, in various ways, to form their institutions to prevent this natural human trait. And for a while things worked OK, and common people saw new opportunities. But as the decades passed, patrimonialism crept back in — and the society decayed.

I think the TDG will be able to resist the forces of patrimonialism. Please read my book and tell me how wealthy families and cronies can rig the system for the their own benefit.