In theory, democracies express the will of the majority. What most people want should happen. American democracy, as we know, developed a bit differently. In the immediate area around the airport, it is democratic for homeowners to protect their perceived self-interest by pressuring their elected leaders to block an expanded airport. In other democracies, the minority has more of a voice through a parliamentary system.
Small parties hold peace talks, for instance, hostage to parochial demands.
There's some truth to that argument. They may be sincere, but they end up doing what's best for them. As we've seen in Model Cities-era New Haven and more recently in cities like Port Chester and New Rochelle, N.Y., though, that's a dangerous idea. Politically connected businesses get unfair advantages to make money. A whole lot.