Do they see no value in liberal democracy, or is it just that immediate needs like power and heat naturally override most people's desire for a better government ? Because obviously the average person isn't going to choose freezing or starving if they see no path to a better government, even if "radicals" would take the chance and continue to oppose a bad government with the belief that a good government can be created.

Oh, I didn't realize you were some nut who thinks protesters should be harmed.