[OneWingedShark]

We are near the end of the democratic phase of our empire. The next is either break up, or tyranny.

Or, perhaps the unlikeliest, a move toward being a republic.

[redgolum]

It is possible, but has never happened in history.

The cycle is Freedom, Republic, Democracy, Tyranny, then (at times) a revolt and back to Freedom.

The most stable phase is tyranny (rule by the unelected few). The most unstable is democracy. We are in democracy right now.