It’s really sad that people still look at liberal democracies and think, yup this is a well functioning system.

Versus a system where the only real option to change governance is violent overthrow? Where press freedom is systematically suppressed? Look at Iran right now, the government would rather kill people than listen to them or make changes. Or Russia, where dissent that makes a difference could well land you in jail. The democratic process is messy, no doubt about it, but it’s a far sight better than one where the leadership answers only to their peers and to pitchforks.