the only reason this works is because the citizens are unorganized and unarmed.
if people gather in groups of tens of people to protect each other against the government there is no way they could throw anyone in jail.
This.
You have to remeber 999/1000 people LOVE, LOVE LOVE being slaves and being told what to do.. LOVE it. They would do anything the gov tells them to and go on about how amazing it is. Being a slave is easy and simple being free is hard work, many people are lazy and love being slaves and not having to think or defend themselves.