Ancient Babylon and other parts of the ancient world would regularly cancel non-commercial debts - effectively a wealth transfer from the wealthy to the workers

Ancient Babylon and other parts of the ancient world would regularly cancel non-commercial debts - effectively a wealth transfer from the wealthy to the workers, preventing the rise of an oligarchic class. However, once an oligarchy is in place, it’s counter to its interests to its relinquish control of the political process - the day it chooses to relinquish power for the common good never comes.