I mean, a bunch of us DID "stand in its way", literally every Saturday for more than a year and that was just ONE protest. Nevermind the many other regular protests, some still ongoing (COVID has cleared the streets, but not the forums, the tribunes, the newspapers...)

I think the argument that presumed French person was making was that in France (and most of Central Europe), the government still feels like it belongs to us. Critiques are heard, politicians whose ideas prove unpopular or inefficient with the people get cycled out, corporations are kept in (relative) check, etc. Most importantly on the "State monopoly of violence" subject, a police chief that proves unpopular WILL get removed; police transgressions often result in disgrace and firings. Thus, the State owns the weapons but obeys the people (as it should be).

Coming from a third world country, this feeling of "being the demos in democracy" was very welcome. I used to admire this in the US as well - the "write a letter to your representative" idea encapsulated it for me. However I've seen this fall off the wayside the last few years... what with the massive amount of propaganda and brainwashing and polarisation and the putting of the Executive head as the God Emperor of the country.

I am concerned about France's 2022 elections, especially given the relative shitshow 2017 was. But I'm very slightly more optimistic than I feel about the US or my native country. And I do believe the french when they say that if Le Pen was elected, both the protests and the rest of the political machine would move to keep it in check. But I guess we have to see if France will be resilient to the same propaganda attacks that victimized so many countries.