I think we're going in a circle here because of a Russell-type problem. If you want to change the meta-rules to prevent the powerful using conflict to benefit t

I think we're going in a circle here because of a Russell-type problem. If you want to change the meta-rules to prevent the powerful using conflict to benefit themselves then great. The problem is that the rules are set within the system itself, therefore by the same elites. The conflict position works precisely because of this. You might even say this was anticipated by Plato's two-tier system of government.