I’d look for oligarchies in parts of the governments with the following pattern.
Long terms of office—it is hard to gain control if you are being swapped every time there is a new president
Control of subordinates and control of likely replacements/peers.
Take for example the Army. Generals last for longer than a presidency, get to control who goes up ranks and also because there is no outside source of knowledge of the army or military affairs, the possible replacements are only those that they have groomed.
So I would look for that type of pattern. A department I would expect not to form an oligarchy the Centre for Disease Control, where knowledge of infectious diseases and how it can be controlled can be acquired in civilian life and the Director is replaced frequently.
What they want? I’m not sure I can do more than suggest they will want to improve the power and influence of that group. Being a General in the Army is not so impressive if there has been massive cuts, even if your job is safe.
I’d look for oligarchies in parts of the governments with the following pattern.
Long terms of office—it is hard to gain control if you are being swapped every time there is a new president
Control of subordinates and control of likely replacements/peers.
Take for example the Army. Generals last for longer than a presidency, get to control who goes up ranks and also because there is no outside source of knowledge of the army or military affairs, the possible replacements are only those that they have groomed.
So I would look for that type of pattern. A department I would expect not to form an oligarchy the Centre for Disease Control, where knowledge of infectious diseases and how it can be controlled can be acquired in civilian life and the Director is replaced frequently.
What they want? I’m not sure I can do more than suggest they will want to improve the power and influence of that group. Being a General in the Army is not so impressive if there has been massive cuts, even if your job is safe.