From that perspective δημοκρατία in Athens was peculiar i.e. no women or slaves. I think their (Athenian) system had two oligarchic revolutions during its lifetime fwiw.

What Richard Murphy is pointing out is that oligarchic revolution is under way in the US by looking at the cases where the executive branch is ignoring the rule of law i.e. constitutional judges, by sending people to San Salvador prison for being pro-Palestinian.

Like western civilisation, democracy is a 'good idea' adding to that quote by Ghandi ...