I maxed the claps. So many comments and agreement but they forgot to applaud.

I want to extend the discussion as I feel you don't talk enough about when a government is refecteive enough of the will of the governed to be truly a democracy, a system of government in which state power is vested in the people or the general population of a state. Just having free and fair elections of representatives and leadership does not lead to outcomes and policies that reflect the will of the people. Political contributions and patronage rank higher than the will of the people when it comes to actual policies and regulations. So even it the voters were smart enough to vote for the best candidate, the best candidates are still beholden to their benefactors. That is representative democracy's failing number 1.

Failing #2, the tyranny of the majority. Voting and a simple majority allowing 51% of the population to dictate policy that may be severely disadvantageous to 49% of the population.

Until we have direct democracy, where the people actually vote directly on laws and the budget, not their representatives we are really in some form of Aristocracy, Plutocracy, Oligarchy. Let us not kid ourselves we are ruled by the Neoliberal, Conservative, Plutocratic, Oligarchic elites, elections do nothing diminish their grip on the government.

TEK