They are perhaps incorrectly assuming the security team with all the weaponry will remain loyal to them.

Sure. Who knows.

But, historically, strongmen/chieftains have not had incredible trouble keeping their goons under control. Most threats from from palace coups not popular revolt. Most normal people in uncertain times like order and aren't going to flip the table on a system that gives them stability, food and shelter.

> But, historically, strongmen/chieftains have not had incredible trouble keeping their goons under control.

Sure. But some of them seize power from others on their way up via force.

Would "one of you promises the security team better conditions if they kill a rival" not be how palace coups usually work?

My recollection from Roman history is that was certainly a part of it, but that 'I command the palace guard, so I should command the empire' also played a large role.

> historically, strongmen/chieftains have

Yup, but those aren't the same people as the one who get to become tech billionaires.

And these meek little SV nerds are strongmen?

that's probably dependent on the specific genre of collapse we get to enjoy

Just pay them well enough. Or pay the people at the top a good amount of money to keep the people below in check and have some hope you can rise to the top for a small portion of the people.

If civilization collapses, money is useless

Pay them with chocolate rations or higher status bunk beds.