Do Not Read This Thread

[Adrian II]

But otherwise it would just exchange one control for another. Say the right things and you can still manipulate it.

Exactly. But in many cases you don't need to manipulate them; the supervising institution will attract some really nasty, manipulative people all by itself.

I believe that all positions of power attract a quota of psycho's, sadists and losers who seek revenge for their empty or failed lives, in particular if these positions are more or less inconspicuous. The second and third echelons, so to speak. In a democratic society they are usually kept in check by public opinion and by the counterbalance of rival institutions. Nonetheless, even in a democracy you have your sadistic drill sergeant or prison guard, your repressed cleric, your manipulative social worker, teacher or civil servant.