I think you hit the nail on the head there. Fear plays a huge role in this, and it’s generally what keeps people going along with the system even when they know it’s not working for them. Most people want their lives to be predictable, they might not like their jobs and their overall situation, but at least they know where their next paycheck and their next meal are coming from. You go in, do the work you know is expected from you, get your pay, and repeat. Losing that is really scary, and it’s a big part of the reason people tend to stay on at jobs they hate. A huge social change has a lot of unknowns associated with it, and people don’t want to take the the plunge to risk losing what little stability they have. I imagine this becomes many times compounded for people who have kids or other dependents they’re responsible for. I imagine this is why there’s the whole trope that older people become more conservative. The other aspect you mention is also important. Admitting that the system that oppresses you is not the best possible and that there are better alternatives out there is a hard pill to swallow.

I do hope that more people start looking at social upheaval from a positive perspective as well. I think we do need a vision of a positive future that inspires people towards change. This has to be the basis for an serious socialist movement. It’s not just about improving current conditions slightly, it’s about building a whole new society that’s more just and that empowers people to reach higher potential.