The problem is that the absolute scum tyrants always have the advantage in a "civil society." People can have a pretty damn good idea where things are headed, but if they currently are in a situation where there's still the appearance of an option for peaceful transition away from the potential tyrant they'll wait and hope to use that option.

The "civil society" will never choose violence first to counter a potential threat that hasn't happened yet. I fully believe with all of my being that things are going to have to get to "well, there's literal mass graves, gas chambers, and the federal government just cancelled elections" before people choose violence. :(