[qbit]

That's exactly right. You don't need a conspiracy when interests align. Especially when the interested parties have a lot of power.

[Perceval]

This is more or less Gramsci's theory of hegemony. Hegemony, distinct from coercion, is the production of "spontaneous consent" for the policies of the "ruling class" through the means of civil society, intellectuals, and culture. By shaping how people perceive their interests, there's no need to coerce behaviors or acceptance of policies.