The question is, how can the platform allow users to correct this aberration?
The problem is that no minnow would dare downvoting a whale for fear of retaliation. A whale can send a minnow into oblivion with the click of the mouse.
I think that downvoting shouldn't be subject to fear but should always be accompanied by a clear justification of how the post breaks the rules and ethics of the platform, with reference to the said rules and ethics clearly published on the website.
This must be accompanied by a strong Steemit dispute resolution team.