Chomsky and others contend to work within the system. However much has changed radically as elected officials no longer account or represent the masses. In addition, the dumbing down effect so eloquently presented by Gatto, Iserbyte and Illich as well as others has had an incremental effect over the political consciousness of US citizenry. As a result you have what Paul Craig Roberts consistently refers to in his articles as American insouciance. The monopolization of mass media and re-orientation towards financialization of the economy has an exacerbating effect as well. In addition, the divide, especial racial has had a great effect on disunity. Coupled with the ever increasing wealth disparity and you have the essential elements of complicity and mass conformity we find today. If a population can be so easily divided, distracted and disrupted....the power elite can effectively maintain control.