[vzcx]

Isn't it a good thing that armed citizens and the professional warrior caste like police and military -- who are also really just other citizens -- work together?

If you are asking why the glorious revolution hasn't happened despite having an armed to the teeth peasantry, then the answer is simple: the peasants are still getting their bread and circuses.

[krapp]

>then the answer is simple: the peasants are still getting their bread and circuses.

I think you're half right. The answer is the armed peasants like the feeling of power and "violent potential" of their guns, and claiming to be champions of the people keeping the warriors in check, but really couldn't give less than half a rat's ass what the warriors do as long as they get to keep their toys.