@pschwede

Thank you for your interesting comment. My own view is that democracy is under huge strain at the moment - globally. Indeed, it may not survive!

Here are four articles which may help in understanding the emergence and meaning of democracy as well as its current threats.There are, of course, many others!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenian_democracy

https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/ancient-parliamentary-plains-iceland-001926

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch13s7.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism

Best

Ian K.