Social Symmetries

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As the modern state evolved it was discovered that it is the form of government  which subjects itself to restrictions of its power that turns out to be most effective in terms of advancing the interests of its constituent population.

There is a social symmetry between the interests of the state and the interests of the population. To be most effective, the state must allow its clients to put restrictions on it. For the state to be powerful (in a way that is socially effective) it must accept the power of the people to restrict it.

A self-reinforcing social symmetry.

There seems to be a similar social symmetry involved in the way in which alpha animals are selected and supported by the population they belong to. They are required to make substantial contributions to the community, which goods they can only deliver if they conform to exacting social demands from those who they lead. While demonstrating superior (physical and charismatic, and even more importantly social) power they must balance their drive for dominance by restricting their behaviour so as to be able to provide their peer group with significant social benefits. They must be disciplined and strongly restrained (rather than self-aggrandising) to be able to make the requisite contributions. 

The truly powerful state is not the totalitarian state (which is always headed for burnout) but a state where power is plural, competitively controlled, and hence balanced. 

The successful alpha animal is not a bully but a social worker.