"Handwaving opportunity". I think you hit the nail there. I will steal that. The opportunity to label critique as treason also make corruption and bad policy in general go rampant. I think that is the strongest factor.

I don't know how people can have such a romantic view. Like read some fictional books on the matter. All quiet on the Western front or Catch 22.

Back cutting and corruption goes rampant and the worst kind of people profiteer while losers are slaughtered.