"Democracy means, classically, "government by the people." For a very long time democracy in a large political system was believed by most thoughtful people to be both undesirable and unachievable. It was undesirable for two reasons. First, "the people" did not have the time, interest, knowledge, or ability to be able to govern with competence. Second, the majorities of "the people" were much less well off and in governing would strip the better off of their assets and status, precipitating intense conflict, bankruptcy, or both. Democracy in a large political system was in any case unachievable because, practically, it was impossible to bring the people together to collectively engage with the issues and tasks of governing"--

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