In many parts of rural America, particularly the Deep South, your local warlords will be whichever families already hold power in their home counties by virtue of multi-generational accrual of wealth and political connections. They're the dynasties who've had a sheriff or county commissioner or judge or county coroner or jailer in every generation. Their names are already on the local companies that are the county's biggest employers. Their kids always get away with everything in high school before going to a private college. They may not be powerful in D.C. but they sure can pull strings in the state senate. When things start falling apart, the ones who are actually competent (as opposed to just riding along on their ancestors' achievements) will emerge as natural power foci.
- C.
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