Democracy (n.) is, in the United States rhetoric, a system of elite decision and public ratification; that is, a system of governance in which elite elements based in the business community control the state by virtue of their dominance of the private society, while the population observes quietly.
Democracy (n.) is a danger to any powerful group.
Democracy (n.) is always harmful to elite interests. Almost by definition.
Democracy (n.) is most effectively restricted by transfering decision-making from the public arena to unaccountable institutions: kings and princes, priestly castes, military juntas, party dictatorships, or modern corporations.
Democracy (n.) is most successefully thwarted by distracting people.