The base of the pyramid refers to the bottom layer of a pyramid-shaped structure, which provides the foundation and support for the rest of the structure. In a figurative sense, the base of the pyramid can refer to the most essential or fundamental element of a system, organization, or concept. The term is often used in business or economics to describe a hierarchical structure, where the largest and most numerous group of individuals form the foundational layer, while smaller groups of decision-makers hold positions of increasing authority and influence as they near the top of the pyramid.
