A democracy cannot survive without a free market because the competition between business and government ensures protection of private property rights; limits the government's ability to write restrictive laws and fosters a desire within citizens to create wealth by creating businesses. The creation of wealth results in the creation of legitimate jobs.
Individuals have an overwhelming, innate desire to perform in a job that actually contributes to society.
Off topic, but it had to be said.
Thanks for saying it :-).