Why aren't authoritarian governments overthrown sooner?

Question

On my point of view is pretty simple to overthrow an authoritarian government. You just have to gather a lot of people in the smallest area possible (where the leader is located). Further actions can be made such as restraining the leader in some way. It is true that that requires collaborative effort by the people and most of them need to be willing to take risks. But are humans selfish enough that they can not realize that is of greater importance the well being of majority? Authorities are not going to kill millions of people. Are they? Or if you allow me to rephrase my question in other way. Why are people afraid of the government?

Answer 1

I think there are a couple of problems with you're description at the bottom. I don't think it's as easy as you may be making it out to be. It takes alot of coordination for people to execute a coup against a government. Especially if the government is an oppressive regime. Given that the people don't have unlimited resources much like the sovereign might have under that authoritarian regime. Logistically it is hard for an oppressed group of people to overthrow a regime. Now, there are plenty of cases where this can occur and have occurred. Also depending on the characteristics of the regime, I know for a fact that the authorities would gun down thousands of people if they had to, to maintain control over the state that they are ruling over. It has happened over, and over, and over again in dictatorial regimes. I don't think it's as easy as you make it seem, but you bring up a good question.