Rebellion

I am currently studying for a final in an English Literature class called rebellion. I am reading about rebellions in theater, Thoreau, Gahndi and the likes. What I am realizing, is that these movements have never had widespread lasting success, and I think that that is because they were individuals trying to take upon society, and that is not so practical.
If society is progressing in a particular way, i do not see how one person is going to be able to turn it around single handedly.
I think that the most successful method of expressing disobedience has been by means of the theater because that is something which society comes to see and is influenced by. However, a philosopher living by himself in the woods or even writing books, will have a limited intellectual following, many of whom may read the books without taking upon themselves the ideals.
Rav Nachman was a radical, and I guess also a rebel. With him also, he did not receive the support of the masses. However, we do see that Rabbeinu is gaining more and more followers over time. They may attest to the fact that he is a חדוש.