Authoritarianism has its share of opposing forces too, I would wager. The vassals-clients are trying to switch places with the lords-patrons, and the patrons ha

Authoritarianism has its share of opposing forces too, I would wager. The vassals-clients are trying to switch places with the lords-patrons, and the patrons have to neutralize those attempts. A lot of work is wasted on policing: watching the suspects and watching the watchers.