In hindsight it makes sense to an extent why they did nothing to stop the spread of the enlightenment ideas that would become classical liberalism and its later child ideologies. Which seemingly stood opposed to everything they themselves represented.

Get the people to start looking at themselves as individuals, and look out for their own self-interest first and foremost. While prioritizing their interactions as such. And convince them they need to be perpetually on guard for perceived threats against their rights and liberties from their fellow countrymen.

Rather than viewing themselves as members of a Community, Nation, or a People. Whose collective needs may need to sometimes be prioritized over what is in one’s personal self-interest.

Quite effectively would have undercut any potential threat of any resistance as people worked to adjust to this new standard. As we transitioned from Community/Cultural based models of social interaction and identification. To more highly individualistic ones. As the people would, at least at first, be most likely to view people who are in the same boat as they are. As the Enemy.

We’re seeing somewhat of a readjustment Which corresponds to the Right-Wing and its myriad of Conservative, Nationalist, and Libertarian factions coming into an upswing in support and organization and being able to mount effective political resistance