Star Power: Simulates Interaction Between Groups Within A Stratified Society

Star Power is a game that simulates interaction between groups within a stratified society. The game begins with every one having equal opportunity to ascend. After the first round, the facilitator separates and labels the groups as squares, circles, and triangles. The squares represent the upper class or upper management. The circles represent the middle class or middle management. The triangles represent the lower class or laborers. In the following rounds, there is the addition of bonus points which the group needs to spend in a timely manner. From this point, things are stacked in favor of the squares. Their resources (the bag of colored chips) contain more of the high point valued chips. At a point in the game, the squares make new rules with or without input from the other groups. The rules usually help maintain the power position of the squares whether knowingly or not.
The squares made new rules that mostly benefited their group. They rationalized to themselves and the others that they thought the rules would help more people elevate their status. They would not want to investigate anything (i.e. that the bags were not equal or the suggestion for a rule requiring one trade per round by all) because it might cause them to lose their status. I think that people can feel powerless to change things. Once I became aware that the squares had an unfair advantage, I did not really care about improving my score. I do not think that equality is a realistic expectation because those with power and wealth do not want to give it up. It was somewhat frustrating to try to trade with the squares and find them all sitting with arms