I think the root of the problem is “vetocracy.” We’ve created a system where small minorities can hold everything up, sometimes for ideological reasons and sometimes for financial reasons. The classic case of the latter is homeowners opposing all home construction to raise their property values, but it happens in other areas too.

Vetocracy isn’t democracy. It’s a tiny minority having veto power.

So yes the only person who succeeds in such a system is a human battering ram who can just bash their way through it by being a manic asshole with insane force of will.

There should be tons of Elon Musks, including nicer ones, but nice people get vetoed.