Definition:
Power consolidation is the process by which authority, control, or influence becomes increasingly concentrated within a small group, institution, or system.
Usage Context:
Seen in government structures, corporate mergers, platform governance, media ownership, and institutional reform.
Critical Note:
Power consolidation often occurs incrementally and procedurally rather than through overt seizure. By narrowing decision-making, accountability is reduced while resistance becomes more difficult to organise or sustain.
Related Terms:
Platform Power, Resource Capture, Accountability Deficit, Institutional Self-Alignment, Behavioural Governance