You are correct about the connected degeneracy from democracy to fascism and there we have no disagreement. There is, however, a minor difference: fascism is tyranny without the pretense of having to sponsor the democratically necessary mob. In a twisted way, fascism is the elitists' payback for having had to tolerate the disgusting mess of an ephemeral democracy.
I like to think that the crucifixion of Jesus was the prime example of a democratic execution.