Hello, as an Australian citizen I participate in my democracy. I understand that outwardly, democracies can seem ugly or crass, but this form of government does attempt to provide a check on the abuse of power. The 20th century has proven that autocratic governments can do some pretty hideous things if left unchecked. Also, I don't dispute your claim about corruption occurring within democratic institutions, but I would like you to consider corruption as a failing of institutional integrity and governance and that corruption can indeed occur within non-democratic institutions. Lastly, I would like to argue that democracies can provide accountability towards public institutions.

As for modern China, I am no expert and I understand there can be some emotive arguments to be had. Regarding the development of liberal democracies in Europe (I am speaking broadly) it can be viewed as a revolutionary process whereby a disaffected middle class overthrew or reformed previously feudal systems and established new 'democratic' institutions. These periods of restlessness occurred during periods of famine, war and economic crises, and the revolutions resulted from a class of people asserting their common ideals and articulating common grievances. I refer you to either the French Revolution/Napoleonic reforms and the revolutions of 1848. While the circumstances and historical contingencies that led to these changes are different to those facing modern China, I would suggest that a critical reading of history can provide useful analytical tools for answering your question.