Can A Country Be Too Democratic?

A thought experiment

Image created by the author using ChatGPT

We’re told that democracy is the best system. And maybe it is. But can there be too much of a good thing?

It sounds counterintuitive, even dangerous. After all, who would argue against more voice, more participation, more representation? But let’s treat this as a thought experiment. Not a critique of democracy itself, but a reflection on its design and its limits.

Start with a simple question:

What actually makes a democracy work?

At its best, democracy balances two things: legitimacy and efficiency.

Legitimacy comes from the people: votes, representation, public debate.

Efficiency comes from institutions that can actually make decisions and get things done.

The tension is that more of the first can sometimes mean less of the second.

Too much legitimacy?

Take Italy, for example. Coalition governments, referenda, regional vetos: the political system bends over backward to reflect every possible shade of public opinion. But that also means a lot of noise, little accountability, and chronic policy stall. Try passing major reforms when every region, party, or interest group can block you.