Part of the reason Aristotle liked democratic systems is that he believed in the wisdom of crowds. (A remarkably modern idea.) “If the people are not utterly de

Part of the reason Aristotle liked democratic systems is that he believed in the wisdom of crowds. (A remarkably modern idea.) “If the people are not utterly degraded, although individually they may be worse judges than those who have special knowledge, as a body they are as good or better.” Aristotle also cautioned against something he called extreme democracy – as it can lead to demagogues. "…in which, not the law, but the multitude, have the supreme power, and supersede the law by their decrees. … The demagogues make the decrees of the people override the laws, and refer all things to the popular assembly. And therefore they grow great, because the people have all things in their hands, and they hold in their hands the votes of the people, who are too ready to listen to them." Direct democracies only "work" in a homogeneous society, as noted by Plato. We see evidence time and time again - from slavery to the internment of Japanese Americans - that the majority can and will vote against the interests of a minority. A functioning republic is necessary to prevent the majority from railroading a minority. In a republic, some things are off limits from direct voting.