@alexwild Sorry,
I’m basically asking you to provide a solution and that isn’t fair. It’s hard enough to recognize the problem.
The conundrum I posed does keep me awake often. Depending on wise kings a la Plato isn’t easy or durable—power corrupts. And when democratic institutions stop being supported and nurtured, mayhem ensues, a phase we seem to be in presently. Revolution, as in organized rebellion, is painful for many, particularly for the most vulnerable. Reform seldom if ever has enough thrust to push through. Yet doing nothing at some point is not tenable either.