People need more self-confidence in order to free themselves from their rulers. They know that some of the rulers are corrupt, but they hesitate taking the initiative of changing things. They prefer to be ruled rather than standing up and creating their own future, and I believe it is because people in general are lacking in character and in self-confidence. Why this happens is something that would take a looong time to clarify.
It is a sort of Stockholm syndrome that many people are having.
Indeed. It's sad how much we want to be ruled. I think a bit part of it comes from how we parent. Peaceful parenting is so important. We have to teach our kids to follow reason, logic, and evidence not positional authority.