[s1artibartfast]

Yes, they used the might of the people to get the concessions they wanted.

[AnimalMuppet]

They used the powerless (or at least less powerful) to provoke the conscience of the more powerful to get what they wanted.

[s1artibartfast]

The masses always have the power, it just doesn't seem like it because they rarely agree on anything. They are essentially unstoppable if they really want something.