The key savers of democracy/capitalism seems to me to be the free flow of information, as well as people in short-lived roles (to avoid single-mindedness), such

The key savers of democracy/capitalism seems to me to be the free flow of information, as well as people in short-lived roles (to avoid single-mindedness), such that on average good decisions can be made at all levels. Strict hierarchies like militaries and corporations can have these properties (and do well) or not (and do poorly). The whole liberty thing _needs_ to be enforced vigorously to stop someone perverting the system into a dictatorship. In corporate life employees have some liberties - often some degree of choice in their role, trying to get a job at a different company or switch career, etc. While in a role you may be relatively constrained but constraints are common with other commitments in life like marriage, raising children, leading a volunteer organisation in your spare time, etc.