Given the evident political power granted by technology, I can see (a somewhat sinister) argument for restricting access to technical knowledge and capabilities

Given the evident political power granted by technology, I can see (a somewhat sinister) argument for restricting access to technical knowledge and capabilities. Perhaps a government license required to use a compiler or interpreter? A professional body to restrict access to the profession and bump up salaries for programmers? (And also control them at the same time). Programmers would become a lot like lawyers - privileged, but essentially trapped and under the control of the state (similar personality types & skill-sets required anyway).