I remember in my Civics class back in the 50’s the teacher stating a benevolent dictatorship was the purest form of government. And so it would be. The problem being the benevolent dictator dies and you have to rely on what you get next. I think that is what is happening here to some extent...our founding fathers were the benevolent dictators granting us a republic, but as Franklin said to some woman who asked, paraphrasing here, “it’s only good for as long as you can keep it”.
George Washington - made it abundantly clear that he was NOT a benevolent dictator by voluntarily stepping down and giving up his power... knowing ‘the people’ would replace him with their new choice.
What made the United State unique and powerful was our trust in the 'invisible hand' - not only in capitalism but in our political system. "The people" really do make better choice (en masse) than elites... or bureaucratic committees. It's just a strange reality.