A QUANTITATIVE MODEL OF THE AMPLIFICATION OF POWER THROUGH ORDER AND THE CONCEPT OF GROUP DEFENSE

Abstract

I propose a simple quantitative model of how the power of a leader over a group is amplified when he or she starts to order the group. This model implies that a small well-informed minority can easily govern a previously ordered majority such as hijacked passengers. The model leads to the concept, “group defense,” which stresses the importance of group members resisting enemy ordering and creating a counter-ordering. Group defense may be helpful in preventing fatal hijackings such as the ones that occurred on September 11 and other massacres on civilians.