https://www.dw.com/en/hitlers-henchmen-killed-for-promotions-and-recognition/a-77473037

«For Christian Gläßel, this is a side effect of systems — like meritocracies — that produce winners and losers. “The losers are a human resource that an autocrat can exploit,” he says.

Gläßel believes that meritocracy neither protects against the erosion of democratic institutions nor against authoritarian rule. On the contrary, his and Scharpf’s research suggests that performance-based systems can drive ordinary people to commit extreme crimes.»

Background:

«The researchers’ interest was sparked by an offhand remark. During a visit to Argentina, Adam Scharpf met someone who casually commented that during Argentina’s military dictatorship, the secret police had been full of “idiots.”

…

“It’s really a puzzle,” says Gläßel. “Why would a dictator, who depends on an effective secret police force, rely on idiots?”»

I read this, and I thought, “Huh. I wonder if there’s any connection with the fact that Trump people appear to largely be morons?”

And, sure enough, Pete Hegseth shows up later.