That doesnt mean they werent ignorant or inept, they were just aware of what was happening to them, and in most cases for rights it was only after decades or centuries of mistreatment. Its a reaction not a prevention.

As for toxic people in power, thats a lot harder to argue but toxic people enter and leave government all the time. It can be obvious sometimes who will be shit but theres only so many choices and again a significant portion of people are ignorant or inept.

When has the majority not been ignorant and inept?

Back when societies collective knowledge was like 4 things?

Yeah pretty much, i mean you cant just assume because someone is a developer that they have a brain but this sums up my relationship with all the sales people ive met in my career

Me: Hey i need information about your product

Sales: Hey id love to swing by and show you our product line. How many can we put you foen for? Can we schedule a call?

Me: finds a different vendor