In “Chapterhouse Dune” Frank Herbert wrote:
“Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. This is the danger of entrenched bureaucracy to its subject population. Even the spoils systems are preferable because levels of tolerance are lower and the corrupt can be thrown out periodically. Entrenched bureaucracy seldom can be touched short of violence. Beware when Civil Service and Military join hands.”
I quote this often, these days.
Power attracts those who seek to use it - against their fellow humans.
And unaccountable power, more so.