All governments, even the most authoritarian regimes, rule by consent of the ruled, regardless of whether or not they acknowledge, or realize that fact.
It's just a question of how much sneering hypocrisy, imposition of unreality, and violent oppression we're collectively willing to take before the ruled, decide to remind the rulers, by whose authority they govern.
You don't have to be an anarchist or agree with me about how to organize society to get that; you just have to understand power.