who rules by whose rules?

Another great quote from Christian Michel's "THE CLASS STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER: Why Libertarians Should Read Marx And Engels ...":

The Ruling Class

Now the first answer to the question of why we allow ourselves to be exploited seems to be that the dominant class does not appear to be the wealthiest in society, and the fact is it is not. So how come they exploit us, if they don't make more money than the richest amongst us?

Some people in the new ruling class may not be rich, it is true, but neither were many slave owners or feudal lords. Many lived no better and were much poorer even than commoners, who were active in trade and other businesses. It is not the amount of wealth that makes you a member of the ruling class, but the way this wealth, however modest, is acquired. It is not how much you earn, but how you earn it, that qualifies exploitation. Do you make your money by political means or economical means? Is it earned or is it extorted?