Revolution after revolution proves out, people must starve before they’ll turn.
“accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”
So as you said they’ve learned from the past and let things get bad to keep people in line, but not bad enough for the majority to cross that line. Or if it does, use the tools at their disposal to turn people against each other with shiny things while they continue on.
“accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”
So as you said they’ve learned from the past and let things get bad to keep people in line, but not bad enough for the majority to cross that line. Or if it does, use the tools at their disposal to turn people against each other with shiny things while they continue on.