Democracy respects the uniqueness and integrity of each individual. Yet, individuals in a condition of togetherness,form a larger political entity called a "State" or a "government",or a "Nation". These larger entities are necessary because no individual lives alone; hence the need for government or a larger political entity like "State" or "Nation". Of course, historically the term "State" was considered a fiction by Rousseau. I'm sure, other thinkers, even contemporary ones, don't hesitate to consider it a fiction, but they are not going to make that particular thought a commonly used every-day term. Obviously, in some peoples minds, that would demoralize the binding nature of law and hence, would not be a very 'safe' way to conceptualize and govern the Nation through its laws. Our condition of togetherness is a large condition and hence must be referred too in very 'large' concepts. This is where the generality of linguistic terms (of necessity) comes into the picture. Of course, not far behind, lurked the so-called Linguistic Turn. The Linguistic Turn was a necessary stage in the evolution of the use of linguistic terms to relate to particular activities or particular phenomena. The Turn seemed to attack language from the 'top'(generalization) while computer science began its attack from the bottom( 'below' the individual); namely, bits, digitalization etc. Hell, we can't relate to either the 'top' of language or the 'bottom'! Language and science forgot about us and just left us to hobble in the middle. Well, the best way to talk about democracy and government is to look at the Constitution and study how the Founding Fathers constituted us. We are a 'condition of togetherness' that,(historically) has gradually formed, and is still forming, and which is constituted of individuals and every individual has a unique human integrity. Thats why politics can sometimes seem to be a lot of empty talk. Of course, the Top of government is entitled to 'talk politics' but the effect of the talk must relate to each individual in a real way. The only way to do that is to relate to the Bottom as Number; each individual is real and stands out as clear and as unconfused as a number. Democracy is an equation. Maybe what we need is an algorithm for democracy. The people at the Bottom of government are real; they are not just general concepts. Government is real power and that power effects real people in a real way; not just linguistically. Recently, a new Pope was selected. He's practicing humility, a characteristic of individuals who, as human beings, are 'free' of 'institutional glory'. With all the problems in the Church, he has a lot of work ahead of him. The same applies to politicians, practice democracy,( thats how you got 'up there' in the first place) but don't deny it to the people. Stop glorifying corporations and 'accumulated money'. Of course, humility has no place in politics, but the 'democratic spirit' does. If you want to govern, do so democratically and don't usurp the integrity and sanctity of the individual human condition.