BigJohn, hello there!
There are many measures of functionality and equity in a democracy or in any form of government or society. To the degree that there are areas which are in much greater need of attention, functionality, and equity, we may readily say these areas are lacking entirely, are dysfunctional, or, to take a middle ground (LOL) are semi-functional. As is often the case, where some aspects are attended to and others are not.
Regarding better or worse, I disagree. There are very clear differences, regardless of the fact that no society and no government is free from some misalignment. Nonetheless, the objective fact is that most non-representative democratic forms of government are oppressive, autocratic, often dogmatic in the extreme, and often extremely violent and capricious. That is,
most non-representative democratic forms of government display what we would call intentional foundational misalignment, as in not right-aligned with One. Lacking in justice, human rights, humane punishment or correction, and nearly all forms of expression. They are not founded on authentic love (equanimous lovingkindness), which actively seeks and wills the good of the other(s) equally to the self, and the self equally to all others.
Thus, there are very real, concrete, and manifest differences in these forms of government, and they originate from very real, concrete, and manifest differences in perspective. It is not that perspectives are separate from reality, as your statement seems to indicate. Rather, there is a clear and direct relationship. That is,
as consciousness has always impacted matter, the foundational and contributing perspectives shape the outline and functional form of the government. This is how governments are formed and this is how they are either nurtured and sustained or else eroded and compromised.
Different perspectives based on different values will,
if allowed, lead from dysfunction, misalignment, and autocracy -- where only the voice of the powerful matters -- toward representative democracy, where [in theory] everyone matters and everyone has a say. It is under representative democracy where we are most fully confronted with the power and burden of our individual and collective ownership and responsibilities.
Therefore it is under this form of social contract (representative democracy) in which everyone is (at last) most fully and pervasively required to grow up and take ownership.
Even though society and its individuals in the West are certainly having some trouble accepting this and
taking ownership of the full spectrum of their behavior and their choices (*snort*), nonetheless it
is an inescapable part of the maturation process, individually and as a species.
One of the biggest reasons for re-incarnation is to have the opportunity to take part in a representative democracy...AND then to choose wisely...to overcome our selfishness and learn to make the right choices, those which support the highest good of all, equally. As it is that foundational to our growth on our journey as souls.
So if your opinion is that a brutal dictatorship or an oppressive totalitarian regime (of any flavor) is "no better or worse" than a representative democracy (even if semi-functional), then we will have to agree to disagree
Peace & blessings
7L