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Heltaher
Heltaher

The Hidden Arithmetic of Power: Deception, Exchange, and Coercion in Human Systems

Key Insights
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  • Deception, exchange, and coercion are the three core mechanisms shaping human systems.
  • Deception is the most efficient but unstable mechanism of power.
  • Exchange emerges from symmetric power but requires institutions to maintain stability.
  • Coercion is costly and diminishes over time, often pushing toward other mechanisms.
  • Legitimacy governs the blend of these mechanisms for a stable society.

References
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