It certainly doesn't hurt.

But you have a much more optimistic view. You actually believe there is such a thing as democracy, where all I see is elite control - so persuading people does not actually matter.

I do see one place where it matters. Discrediting the system. The system can function even if it does things 'the people' disagree with, as long as they believe in it. If they stop believing in it, then it cannot function.