So, there’s an “elite” class to rule over the peasantry? Is THAT the argument they’re trying to make?
No, the point he is making is that there’s a structure that must be respected, but once that structure and philosophy of governance have been abandoned in favor of an an individual who reflects and uses the passions of the mob (Trump, for example), it collapses and democracy becomes misrule -
As Adams said, “avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution,” because a democracy depends upon the moral and religious nature of its people and their willingness to adhere to the rule of law and not let themselves be swept away by their passions. The latter always ends up destroying their society and leaving them far worse off than they were, incidentally.
Pretty much.