As individuals in such regimes ascend the hierarchy, patronage and risk-aversion become the most critical factors in determining their chances for promotion. Consequently, such regimes grow increasingly sclerotic as they select leaders with stellar resumes but mediocre records.
专制政权官僚化及老化加速了领导层的退化。个人要想在这样的政权中更进一步，寻求庇护和规避风险成为决定他们升迁机会的关键因素。结果，这样的政权因为挑选履历光鲜但行为平庸的领导人而变得愈加僵化。