Power and people in charge

Power is made not at the top but by the captains and lieutenants to provide their authority. To pay homage to a monarch or absolute leader whether a king, president, town mayor or who ever, gives those subordinates the power to act in whoever's name they act. Without the figure head the lieutenants and other supervisory staff would have no one to act for and become headless.

If there was a revolution say like the Russians had, then when the dust had settled there would involve leaders. They may be hidden behind the guise of a committee or may well be the committee themselves but one thing is certain, someone will need to lead and the masses must follow. To allow everyone to do what ever they would wish would result in anarchy.

Some people consider that left to there own choice the people would make the right choice. Perhaps they would but it would be their own choice and not necessarily to the advantage or consideration of the community.
Some people really believe that what it is right for them, should be denied to the rest of the community.