- The Systems of power insulate the powerful from punishment: A powerful agent, a person or organization, is only punished if another powerful agent pursues punishment. Often the two agents are members of the same class and punishing someone within your class is at best a faux pas and at worst an existential threat to your own power; now, or in the future. Related: When their salary depends on their not understanding.
- Motivated cognition protects the image of the powerful