[Cronos]

democratic rule is very "unnatural" system of government. It eventually gives way to a more totalitarian type of rule.

I would disagree. The less threatened a society feels, the more likely it will go in for democracy. Democracy works best in countries that don't have an overwhelming sense of fear -- Western Europe, the US, Canada, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand. All of these have had continuous democracy since WWII. Totalitarianism is an aberration only needed in times of war. Otherwise it eats up it's people. Like what Samuel said to the people of Israel when they wanted a King.

[phil_will1]

"The less threatened a society feels, the more likely it will go in for democracy."

Some noted philosopher said something about the life cycle of a democracy and his belief that it can't last indefinitely. This was a couple of hundred years or so. His argument was that, once the lower class realizes that they can vote themselves into prosperity, the proverbial jig is up. Some say we are approaching that point, since many are suffering under the delusion that they don't pay any taxes and that, therefore, government services are free (at least to them).