This chapter explores the relationship between elites and the masses. Even in authoritarian regimes, elites depend on their ability to mobilize support and resources from society to guarantee their political survival. For this reason, the support of society is a potential constraint on elite choices. I show that individuals who perceive high levels of corruption are more supportive of elites surrendering sovereignty. This finding buttresses the idea that rent-seeking and contestation contribute to higher levels of hierarchy. The chapter uses survey data from Georgia and Ukraine to illustrate the point.