Good points. I think people generally get stuck on that as long as the voting is fair, then it is a functioning democracy. However, using the state to influence a election is not democratic.
I also think the problem in less-than-democratic is caused by ruling parties trying to use government powers (voting laws, media) to entrench their positions, which causes the opposition to vote strategically, which causes partisanship, which loops back into the ruling party entrenching themselves.
Good points. I think people generally get stuck on that as long as the voting is fair, then it is a functioning democracy. However, using the state to influence a election is not democratic.
I also think the problem in less-than-democratic is caused by ruling parties trying to use government powers (voting laws, media) to entrench their positions, which causes the opposition to vote strategically, which causes partisanship, which loops back into the ruling party entrenching themselves.