That king is somewhat like the string in a mobile - has to keep the different interest and powerbases balanced while not having any "mass" himself.

Which is what is necessary. It's important to keep religion out of government, witness Christian and Muslim countries which haven't. It's important to allow capital to flourish, but not at the total expense of labor. And vice versa.

It's important to have minorities be respected, but not let a coalition rule at the expense of the others.

However, I have a theory. Money wins. Always wins. The mobile will become unbalanced toward money. Whatever is most profitable will ultimately predominate. That includes monopolies and governmental taxation backed by armies. People will sell themselves out, sell out their co-religionists, sell out the other interest groups for money.

And ultimately there is a revolt against that money, and the mob takes over. Then another power center takes over until money gradually overthrows it, and starts the cycle all over again.

The US did a splendid, evolving job of achieving that balance until money declared war on the Middle Class. Unions and small businesses were attacked or finessed, and it headed back into an oligarchy, where we probably are now. Money buys elections. With enough money Swift Boating becomes a factor, the Courts are purchased and the process itself is subverted. Said evolution simply part of the continuous process.

In my humble opinion.

Arf