Although democratic republics are now in heavily advertised fashion, I'm reminded of a small scene in Heinlein's Glory Road ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glor

Although democratic republics are now in heavily advertised fashion, I'm reminded of a small scene in Heinlein's Glory Road ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_Road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_Road ): in that story the 1960's American ex-soldier protagonist was picked up by the Galactic Empress for a tough but vital quest, married her and lived at the palace for a while. At one reception, a guest asked him how were things back home, if they still had the "noble experiment". The American thought he was referring to Prohibition, but the Galactic clarified he was referring to democracy (and got punched.)