Commenting as a reminder to come back and read this post more indepth.
I think Democracy as we currently have it is an outdated method of governing that worked when representatives had to travel with horse and buggy across the nation to meet with other politicians on behalf of their constituents.
Now we're all so connected there seems little need for some man in a suit to attempt to represent the nuances views of his entire electorate. Sociocracy might be the system I am looking for.