The right to free inquiry and free criticism is central to democracy. Democracy should thus not merely be government by consent of the majority of people, even an overwhelming majority. That was so even under Hitler. Its essence is free consent of the people. This in turn implies public awareness of alternative policies set out by politicians, and the ability to discuss, examine and dissect them without fear.
History shows that the success of democracy depends generally on favourable material circumstances.
Democracy is thus unlikely to flourish in a community on the verge of destitution. It is for those reasons that in ancient and medieval times, democracy developed in cities, the centres of prosperity. Nonetheless a form of democracy existed even in relatively poor rural communities, for example in Switzerland, where a broad equality of possessions and opportunity provided security and stability and a solidarity of interests. Even where sound economic conditions prevail, a democratic society needs the presence of certain capacities and virtues in citizens particularly their intellectual level. They need to be capable of managing their affairs harmoniously.