Unfortunately, IMO the group "they" consists of two predominant types: one's who by circumstances are overwhelmed by the responsibility of providing for themselves and their families and, secondly, those usually insecure self-interested opportunists who need and are able to seize control by assuring the others they can so provide.
The solution then, would seem to depend on how well a society educates its young and does everything possible to provide a stable economy.
After that, I am well in over my head. {;^)
At that level; I think we all are. The best we can do is try to make sense of it all and maybe give a good rant now and again.