"Doing too much" such that they move faster is called opposing them and losing, and really still consists of not doing enough. Doing enough to stop them (i.e. opposing them and winning) is doing enough.
The only institution that matters once a regime rejects law and order, is we the people. If the people roll over, then they are submitting to their dominators, and no one is free.
Same thing has been happening at least since the Mayans... they refused to give up their lifestyles even in the face of their own surrounding natural resources being eaten up from their fast expansion, and they eventually died off.