How did we ever get anything done then, if not by each of us deciding a certain way is best? We sure didn't wait for an overlord to force democracy upon us and

How did we ever get anything done then, if not by each of us deciding a certain way is best? We sure didn't wait for an overlord to force democracy upon us and abolish slavery as far as I know. The version of history I heard includes needing uprisings (made up of people that each believe in the cause) to get here.