HOA...… It’s all about “control”, not necessarily for the good of the neighborhood but for those who want things THEIR way.
HOA’s are highly regulated in Florida. It’s nearly impossible for a few to have total control and dictatorship unless no one else bothers to get involved or know what’s going on.
HOA’s are not for everyone. People who don’t want to follow the rules to look elsewhere to live.
HOA’s have their advantage if managed properly. No junkers, no messy landscape, security, a path to deal with disruptive, noisy neighbors.
Of course the downside is always that the busy bodies always seem to gain power.