> The only objection I have to this post that I have is the notion that there was a democracy there to begin with. Sure, it's probably pointless to try to argu

> The only objection I have to this post that I have is the notion that there was a democracy there to begin with. Sure, it's probably pointless to try to argue that there was some specific point where it changed from "is a democracy" to "isn't a democracy," or to try to argue that it's "55% a democracy now." The actual point is whether there are important institutions that have weakened or failed, whether there is indication that this will continue, and what the consequences will be.