As studied, and as the logic would follow the elite simply transfer from system to system as performance disparities persist through the generations because of genetics.
Through revolutions under different systems tracked family lines out performed others regardless of system.
A look at "communist" china.
Persistence through Revolutions
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/media/workingpapers/working_pap...
They don't even attempt to solve the problem. The decentralisation of power isn't even being considered.