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The https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle (1969) provides a "never ascribe to malice" explanation.

Another explanation: those who hyperoptimise for efficiency get what they pay for.

"Never ascribe to malice" itself is specifically Hanlon's razor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon%27s_razor

Unfortunately, it's the slavers who HO for efficiency and the people who suffer