Regulatory capture may always exist to varying degree. To lessen the effect takes involvement. I fail to see how my view is naive. You only have two choices

Regulatory capture may always exist to varying degree. To lessen the effect takes involvement. I fail to see how my view is naive. You only have two choices: "get involved" or "do nothing". I am fully aware most people do nothing (except complain). However, the stats from 2008 elections show significant increase in involvement. Your view of "democracy in a nutshell" is "democracy performing poorly". It is your choice to take the pessimistic view that it will remain this way. My view is that democracy is a process, not a product.