Consider the following idea: In the modern democratic form of government where the person or group in power are chosen through elections, and in a situation where the current elected government is actually doing the best it can in a given situation, there is an inherent contradiction between the opposition's desire to get elected and the overall good of the country. Here's an example: But modern democracy doesn't work unless there are parties or individuals opposing those who are in power, so is this an unavoidable flaw in democracy? I know that Plato discussed similar conflicts of interest in democracy, but have any modern philosophers discussed similar flaws to democracy? There are many critics of Modern democracy (Habermas for example) but from what I see they all consider that a purer, more authentic form of democracy is possible. Has any contemporary philosopher argued that democracy is inherently flawed, in the same way that Marx has argued that Capitalism is inherently flawed? That democracy cannot be reformed, and some other form of government is necessary if one truly wants to achieve the greater good for society as a whole.