Empires are synonymous with centralized-if occasionally schismatized-hierarchical power structures in which influence is restricted to an economically privileged class retaining its advantages through-usually-a judicious use of oppression and skilled manipulation of both the society's information dissemination systems and its lesser-as a rule nominally independent-power systems. In short, it's all about dominance.
( Iain M. Banks )
[ The Player of Games ]
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