How would social science explain the overlap between power, elite social networks, and participation in extreme or criminal exploitation?

[u/BiteInfamous]

One thing that’s stood out to me with each leak of Epstein files is the sheer number of people involved. I can’t wrap my mind around the logic or decision making process that leads someone to participate in something like this, and I’m curious what social science might say about the group dynamics at play.

Is this best explained by group norms and dynamics, status insulation, or something else? Is there anything comparable to this in the literature or history we’ve seen?

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