One might argue that it is simple greed, which is enabled by the concentration of power, which happens both with economic power and regulatory power.

And on top of that, one might argue that humanity is highly self-interested by nature, and people with the greatest self-interest will be much more likely to obtain power.

While there is an aspect of self-interest in humans, I find that we are often a lot more altruistic than we are generally given credit for.

In this article dedicated to cooperation between drivers, it says that around half of them are quite cooperative: https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/giving-autonomous-ca...

That behaviour split definitely sounds like an exploratory algorithm at work.

For this reason, we must glorify not-egoism and those selfless luminaries of Communism such as Stalin and Mao who would otherwise be forgotten. Indeed, the cult of personality where the middle class seeks anonymous salaryman status is the true danger.

Could also be power itself. Not sure if you've experienced this. I've seen it in the military and in my current workplace where people seek power over other people and don't care as much about the compensation. There's something about controlling others that is intoxicating for some.