If anyone doubts that Christianity must never be run like a democracy, one need look no further than the moral ruin that is mainstream protestantism.
Correct. But some balance between pure democracy and the good old boys club that is now the Catholic hierarchy is in order.
It strikes me that you are not particularly well informed about mainstream Protestantism. Which churches are you including?
Clearly, the earlier rules regarding bishops point to a republic-style election rather than 50.1% democratic election.