I agree with this, 'From the beginning “people power” has always been constrained by inequality of power and wealth. Wealth can proceed from power—and power can proceed from wealth. Power can be reinforced and even expanded (to a certain extent) by violence or the threat of violence.'

However, I'm not sure of the point you are making. If it is that the power of despots comes from people I sort of agree - although I think it is rare that it comes freely, without some pressure or coercion, and that they are usually acting under some threat - in ancient times that may be from the person they follow and their soldiers, or from the priests that say some god will send them to hell for not doing it. In more modern times it's more subtle but just as potentially dangerous. But either way if 90 out of 100 people choose a ruler it doesn’t make them a legitimate ruler for the other 10 who didn’t choose them - they didn't consent to that person ruling.

The fact that strongmen need to manipulate people to maintain power shows how artificial and unnecessary these power structures are. If all power truly derives from people, then we should eliminate the hierarchical structures that allow it to be concentrated and weaponised against the masses, and create horizontal, democratic structures that prevent power from being accumulated and concentrated in the first place. Power flows from people and I believe should be kept with the people it flows from, without them giving it up and handing it over to someone else.

As for using the term, 'Evil', it certainly is a harsh term, but I'm just quoting the Calvinist view that we are literally born evil in the eyes of God, and referring to the influence of this doctrine upon even some secular philosophies and even Capitalist economists.