The standard critiques of anti-democratic regimes almost never appeal to the existence of individual decision makers -- or even groups of decision makers -- who

The standard critiques of anti-democratic regimes almost never appeal to the existence of individual decision makers -- or even groups of decision makers -- whose governing ability is superior to that of the current dictator. (In fact, many critiques of anti-democratic regimes don't even accept that this is something over which there is even a debate to be had. As one author put it, men have a "self-evident" right to govern themselves within a framework respectful of human rights.)