In order to change policy (in the US for instance), you'll need the cooperation of politicians. What candidate running for president right now is truly prepared to challenge the status quo? Those of us who have been around for more than a few elections know the answer to this question all too well; hence the low voter turnout.

We need to shift more in the direction of a direct democracy, using the blockchain perhaps as a next generation digital ballot box. Not holding my breath though that this will happen within the lifetime of any one reading hacker news right now. There's just too much at stake for our corporate overlords.