Some governments also adopt this kind of hierarchy. Faux democracies in particular look like this - the actual power sits in the hands of autocratic oligarchs

Some governments also adopt this kind of hierarchy. Faux democracies in particular look like this - the actual power sits in the hands of autocratic oligarchs (largely sociopathic in outlook), the 'elected politicians' who are in reality selected by the ruling oligarchs serve as the clueless middle managers, along with appointed bureaucrats who sit atop the various state agencies. These levels are rewarded with various kickbacks (hence they attain millionaire status, while the oligarchs have billionaire status). Sitting at the bottom of the pyramid are the so-called losers - the prison guards, the tax collectors, the local politicians and bureaucrats, etc. Their socio-economic status is pretty low, but it's at least a step above those who live in the slums and shantytowns. This model characterized, for example, Brazil during the fascist dictatorship era of the 1950s and 1960s, Indonesia and Chile under similar regimes, the Philippines under Marco, probably much of India, a great many African countries, and increasingly it's what the United States seems to be falling into.