fyi – your link is broken
i didn’t see any reference to an alderan fallacy either. But the economist makes a good point, if you spend money on they people, they are much less likely to revolt. Case in point, America. however, spending money on people has been a finite game until the about 50 years ago, Now its the game where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter, and as along as americans get what they think they deserve, be it a free cell pone, social security, or welfare, the masses are compliant as the rights get taken away.
Democracy at least creates smarter leaders, but it seems to only prolong the endgame.