I didn't took the time to read your previous posts, so I may not know what you really mean by 'free society'. That being said, I think the word democracy is by itself a "populist" word. Most people don't really care about democracy everyday, but they care more about efficiency.

If we can achieve an efficient social organisation where people enjoy their life and work without democracy, I think most people will raise their hands. For example, a company (somehow a small state) is by itself not a democracy. The well being of employees depends on management and leadership. It makes me think of Singapour, the city state that is run like a company.

In other words, I hope one day in the public debate we will go beyond the "democracy vs dictatorship" paradigma, as obviously we all know that our western democracies are rigged and that bringing our vision of 'freedom' and way of like in the middle east has done nothing good there.

(Thanks for bringing that subject Jacor ;-) )