I think history teaches us the opposite. Oppressive regimes (of whatever sort) can only persist with the consent of the populace. "Consent" here doesn't mean overt agreement or being happy with the situation. It means the populace is doing nothing to change things.
Find the amount of oppression that people are willing to put up with, and you've found the amount of oppression they are subjected to.
Find the amount of oppression that people are willing to put up with, and you've found the amount of oppression they are subjected to.