Socialism in the age of the Julio-Claudians

Equestrians brought over to his side provincial notables and the most enterprising elements from the municipia, and formed an elite of diligent officials who undertook the bureaucratic administration of the Empire. 

Power is a zero sum game.  Where did Octavian dole out this power?  Did he manufacture it?  Did he wake up one day and underneath his pillow was all this power?  Did he in his divine munificence share it with the worthy Prometheans? 

No.

Octavian exacted this power at the expense of the Senate.  Over the dead body of Marcus Tullius Cicero, he and Antony usurped the power of the Senate overthrowing the Republic and establishing the tyranny of the Julio-Claudians.

The aforementioned conclusion assumes that Octavian established a meritocracy presuming that one did not exist prior to this Lycurgus from Ox Head.  That is not true for over 700 years the fluidity of individuals to self make themselves even in spite of the class conscientiousness, patriarchy and family.

Further the aforementioned conclusion presumes that these Octavian reforms made the Roman state stronger, when it really provoked a rapid decline.  The Republic endured for 700 years, the Empire less than half that time.  

My professor writes "These "new men" became the pro-consuls, the governors, and the financial advisers Empire."  Previous to this the people of Rome elected their magistrates and quaestors.  Now the Emperor held such appointments to himself.  That is not an innovation.  It is an abrupt regression cloaked in fad and frivolity.   

"Through his restructuring of the equestrian order [by looting the powers invested by the Senate and People of Rome], Augustus created a group of active and loyal supporters who were ready to uphold the new  regime."  A government which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always count on the support of Paul. – George Bernard Shaw