A Theory of Power Convergence: Epstein, Assange, and Ye as Cumulative Individuals

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of individuals whose influence extends beyond the institutional positions they formally occupy. Existing theories of power typically explain influence through single institutional structures and therefore struggle to account for actors who accumulate authority across multiple domains simultaneously. This paper applies the theory of power convergence and the concept of the cumulative individual (Saviano 2026) to three contemporary cases: Jeffrey Epstein, Julian Assange, and Ye (Kanye West). It argues that individuals can acquire system-level influence when structural, coercive, symbolic, psychological, and networked domains converge within a single actor. Epstein illustrates infrastructural convergence through elite networks and institutional leverage; Assange exemplifies informational convergence through networked dissemination and symbolic legitimacy; and Ye demonstrates cultural convergence through symbolic and psychological authority. Together, these cases show how cumulative individuals emerge through distinct configurations of convergent power, providing a framework for understanding agency and institutional influence in increasingly interconnected societies.