[GordonS]

It seems to me that modern western democracies are little more than a facade - most of the political parties are essential the same, or very nearly so. And certainly foreign policy and the security apparatus seems to be the same regardless.

So, I agree with what you're saying, but being realistic, citizens can't really change anything in a modern democracy. Doubly so if any of the magic words can be invoked in relation to the thing they are trying to change ("terrorist", "paedo", "organised crime").

And they absolutely can't change anything in relation to the security services - I seriously wonder if even the government could change anything there, or if the security apparatus really is