There wouldn't be historical examples of that happening because if it works then it's there's no example to draw from. The closest thing I can come up with is figures like MLk or Gandhi who advocated for better progress and standing in their society while working within it. But I can't give examples of when this kind of mindset stopped a bad thing from happening in the first place.

There does come a point where you have to cut your losses however. Reminds me of a quote that I'm having trouble digging up where it talks about how there were plenty of good people who were Nazis who tried to steer the direction of what the Germans were doing. The quote ended with essentially saying it didn't matter what their motivations or intentions were, history just remembers them all as Nazis.

[–] blobjim@hexbear.net 2 points 2 days ago

there were plenty of good people who were Nazis who tried to steer the direction of what the Germans were doing

it didn't matter what their motivations or intentions were, history just remembers them all as Nazis

yeah cuz they didn't do anything lol.

History does remember defectors and saboteurs if the news gets out.