(Excerpting from another post:) Most nations are republican democracies, not democracies. People choose the best of them (or the best person running) to deal w

(Excerpting from another post:) Most nations are republican democracies, not democracies. People choose the best of them (or the best person running) to deal with these issues. Direct democracy, where the people decide issues directly, is actually not part of the system. The UK has had 3 nationwide referendums and the US none, AFAIK. There's a good reason for that: The average person has no idea what they're talking about on most issues. They have other jobs and interests, or no interest. Do I want the wisdom of the crowds deciding how the military should be funded and structured, for example, or do I want elected officials who have hearings, a staff of aids, who study the issue and talk to the generals ... egads, I pay a lot of attention to public affairs, but I wouldn't want that responsibility. Note also that while elected officials are very human and imperfect, their credentials and experience are far above average.