[DubiousPusher]

The late Roman Republic comes to mind. Problems regarding labor, citizenship and military service became significant after the third Punic War. The oligarchic Senate was opposed to really any major changes in these areas that would relieve the problems.

As things grew more dire a succssion of more and more radical populist leaders attempted to change the system from within by standing for election but most were assassinated.

Generals like Marius and Sulla began skirting the law to move the law ahead as they saw fit but leaving the system intact. Finally, Julius Caesar came along with a promise to fix everything but by destroying the republican system rather than by conforming to it. At this point it's no surprise that many Romans no longer cared.