There is this famous physics quote that nature abhors a vacuum (and will instantly fill it with air) but this effect is far more appropriate for human affairs.

There is this famous physics quote that nature abhors a vacuum (and will instantly fill it with air) but this effect is far more appropriate for human affairs. If people let their guard down, do not get informed, are not civic-minded, organized, active, hence create a vacuum in oversight and governance, somebody will take advantage of it and will fill the vacuum. The details vary over time and space but the essence is always the same. Somebody will influence the decision making bodies to make decisions that are suboptimal for the many and advantageous for a few. It may blatant corruption or more involved and nuanced "capture". There is no real difference for the societal calculus. A well functioning society is not an utopic place where nobody tries to take advantage of the commons. It is rather an immune system where signals, feedback loops and deterrent mechanisms instantly neutralize any parasitic attempt. Ironically, a well connected digital society is technically fully equipped to create such immune systems. All it takes the right frame of mind.