Cliques and special interest groups pass laws that limit competition and prevent change

"In 1982, the economist Mancur Olson published "The Rise and Decline of Nations," in which he argued that in every society, cliques and special interest groups pass laws that limit competition and prevent change. His examples included Britain's labor unions, which effectively shut down much of the country during the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent, and Tokugawa Japan, ruled in large part by trade guilds." [1]

When the Russians who ruled the LSSR withdrew from Lithuania, the vacuum of power was filled by the clique of the privileged, clique formed in the communist and KGB environment and controlled by Landsbergis family.

1. Is Stifling Mobility --- Prosperous cities are using zoning restrictions and environmental regulations to keep home prices high, shutting out newcomers who could benefit from economic opportunity.
Glaeser, Edward; Cutler, David.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 04 Sep 2021: C.3.