I think fatalism and redemption are themes that help a reader organize and eventually own a story or character. Writing them, I just want them to be real, and in reality I don't think events are thematic until in retrospect, if ever.

Exploitation is an abuse of power, an act of domination driven by basic insecurity. I think all hierarchies create opportunities for that. Donald Trump is an extreme illustration of an otherwise normal tendency. Institutions are supposed to have safeguards to prevent or mitigate the tendency. Instead they often become vehicles for abuse.