That's exactly how Wikipedia operates. The difference is that on IRC everyone was doing it for the lulz. On Wikipedia some editors are trying to improve the encyclopedia while other are there for the power trips. The second group has an inherent advantage over the former group. Improving articles requires one to spend hours researching while undoing that work just requires a few clicks and vague references to POLICIES. This pisses editors off who becomes easy targets for SEALIONING and NPA. Eventually they write "fuck off, moron" which is a personal attack so they get banned and the power tripper wins again.