To make a point from a different perspective: some environments / countries / regions are so FUBARed by decades of bad governance that emigration is a much, much easier way out than trying to change the system from within and possibly risking prison, beating to death, serious consequences for your family etc. Cynicism and learned helplessness are just a description of what people actually live in there.

Of course, then you have zombie regimes holding to power forever, because people who would challenge them most effectively are outside the country. Iran, Russia etc.

Navalny returned to Russia precisely because he did not want to be seen as yet another emigree who utters advice from abroad. He will pay with his life for that courage and other people will think twice before becoming the next anti-regime icons.

Authoritarian states are very good at intimidating people. What they cannot usually control is the economy, that is a major weakness in their armor. That is one of the reason why China concentrates so much on economic development.