Democracy is a form of representative self-government that by definition establishes a system for the fullest representation-participation of all of those selves comprising the governing-governed.

When the body politic is constituted in a manner in which some representation (of the people) is marginalized, enfeebled, or prevented, Democracy is hindered. In the case of our democratic republic form of government, the power of one person, one vote, suffers substantial dilution at the hands of elected indirect-representation. Our one vote may not get delivered at all. Puts us all at a disadvantage. Thus, the reason for organizing our self-governing leverage: unions, PACs, redistricting legislative regions, etc. Not to mention all the nefarious attempts out there to exercise our "of the people, by the people, for the people" self-autonomy.

We recognize the fundamental imperfection of structuring self-autonomous living, while living among other self-autonomous beings. We create rules, make laws to maximize our influence to manifest personal dreams, wishes, and idealistic solutions. And by virtue of ideology, spirituality, philosophy, and self-survival instincts, we sometimes symbolically/literally – okay, often — raise our voices above the din of competing ideas. Deep down, though, we comprehend the essential advantage of democracy over tyranny. At the end of the day, we want the same things: happiness, security, prosperity, perpetual hope. To the degree we want this for others, we possibly could have more in common than we think.

Either way, we share this planet and its resources. The "others" among us are always among us.  And we are always among them. Us and them, us and them. . . Hmm. . .