The idea of decentralized blockchain is to have a trustless system that works and removes the need to trust one or some entities. It is important to achive the security and integrity of the network. Various blockchains user different methods to achieve that. Bitcoin uses proof of work, Hive uses delegated proof of stake.

Dpos makes the system/network work because participants have skin in the game. Of course higher stakes give higher influence on the governance and reward distribution of the network. It is free market, anybody can acquire stakes/influence or lower their stakes/influence.

However, Hive having a strong social layer and community, high stakes is not needed to have a voice.

Participant’s voice I believe has to do more with their skills to express their voice and networking rather than having high stakes.

High stakes is like a shortcut, it may draw attention with zero effort to be heard.