As I have already commented Steemit has the same exact state of the normal economy out the blockchain.
"1% of users have 99% of Steem
99% of users have 1% of Steem"
When there is manipulation in the discussion of collective solutions, by self-interest people or groups that fight for Power then it can't be called consensus, but an imposition of a hierarchical structure.
So 1% is stealing the will of thousands to benefit 99% to themselves, but they are destroying their golden egg chicken.
Consensus exists only in equalitarian groups, where everybody has the same rights to express their will by influence and be influenced by all the others.
Consensus is a general agreement on a proposition to act and change the destiny of all the members of a community.

1% of people make Code as Law for all the members of a community, instead of people generating consensus about the Law and get Justice.
(Justice meaning Equality).