Human Nature

[Ivan Denisovich]

If I recall correctly it was food that played big role in overthrowing Louis XVI and Tsar. It would indicate that people are willing to tolerate much as long as they're fed. Other than that I imagine populace reason for not standing up to tyranny are as varied as populaces itself.

Sure, but my point was, and is, that while they may not have voted for the Head Asshole in Charge, the people have power to take them down once this or that line is crossed. It's not about voting, it's about tolerating. And sooner or later any people will get sick of it.

One of the wiser lines in our American Declaration of Independence is "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". Whether that arises from a vote, or subservience and refusal to rise up, makes no difference. At some point or other the people will make their will known, by ballot or by bullet.

Verily. As Boris Yeltsin said - You can build a throne of bayonets, but you can't sit on it for long.