Democracy is unfinished, not obsolete
In large, diverse societies, its weaknesses are structural rather than incidental.
The tyranny of the majority
Simple majority rule can systematically disadvantage ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities — with no structural recourse.
Winner-take-all dynamics
Binary two-party contests reward defeating the opponent over governing well — every election becomes existential.
The short electoral horizon
Politicians discount long-term problems because the rewards arrive after the next election.
Manipulation of information
Algorithmic amplification and disinformation erode the shared facts that deliberation requires.