Happy to post some links below. I'd also by interested in more good reading in this direction, particularly from someone in political science field (I am not).

Iron Law of Oligarchy: https://www.britannica.com/topic/iron-law-of-oligarchy

Selectorate Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selectorate_theory

Rules for Rulers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs

The Dictators Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GPSLHI/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?...

The Logic of Political Survival: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/logic-political-survival