[beccasanchez]

In all of history, the elite have never been more secure. They've never had anything close to the level of surveillance and policing as today. The police today are literally thousands of times more effective at their job than the time of the French Revolution.

No one with a clue is worried about anything "abrupt". Rebellion is literally impossible.

[branchless]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_England_riots

Did they put guns on Big Dog since 2011? What's changed? Good old UK had to stop the press reporting on it they were so flustered.

[beccasanchez]

That riot in no way threatened the existence of the state, or the privileges of the elite.

Your example proves my point. There is nothing to fear from the poor. They are completely checked and have no access to power whatsoever.

[branchless]

They can go further. IMHO jury is out.