Civil Society/High Society/Theme

 What use is power if you never use it? And how do you keep power that you use when others are hungry for it? While American wealth and power need not be treated as a zero sum game, there are very few in the upper echelons of society who would dare to view it that way. There are people they can control, people they can purchase, and people that are a threat. The elites of Philadelphia may share solidarity of class, but they very much enjoy watching others tumble from the peaks of power in Haverford to the peak of a three story row home in East Norriton. And there's always another pretender eager to fill the void created by a toppled elite. Perhaps one more agreeable to your point of view than the one that came before them. And that's how dynasties are made; by destroying someone else's.

 The old money looks to protect its legacy. The new money looks to create one. The tug of war in city government tends to revolve around these disputes, with the pawns of the various elites caught in the middle. Land developers, local politicians, government officials, and even restaurateurs or club owners typically all have allegiance to one family or more. Middle class families send their kids to college on your scholarship grants, the archdiocese looks to you for money, for moral leadership, but in the absence of morality? Even more money.

 There is no part of civic life you cannot influence. You can write your name in the clouds, make the whole city look up, and whisper your name in wonder. And the only people that can stop you are the same ones you have to have at your next dinner party if you're to continue on as you are. You need them. They need you. And you all hate each other for it.