I definitely think that countries feel like they "got away with it" when they fuck us over and we don't take to the streets rioting.

They certainly aren't analyzing the second and third order effects of what happens when a large segment of your population is seething with anger and only behaves because they fear prosecution if they don't.

They better hope their grip never slips, because I think they'll be surprised at the number of law abiding citizens who have been sharpening their dagger waiting for the chance to plunge it into the government's back.