Richard Faust

“Such critical junctures are important because there are formidable barriers against gradual improvements, resulting from the synergy between extractive political and economic institutions and the support they give each other. The persistence of this feedback loop creates a vicious circle. Those who benefit from the status quo are wealthy and well organized, and can effectively fight major changes that will take away their economic privileges and political power.”
― Daron Acemoğlu, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty