George, it depends which end of the microscope you are looking through. If we are talking about oligarchies - I can't argue. We all know that the great "democracy" of ancient Greece amounted to an enfranchised 11% of the population. I like to think htat is no longer possible.
The countries which seem most economically successful to me are countries like Switzerland, which has a high per capita wealth, despite having next to no natural resources. Others, which fit hte bill include Norway, Sweden and Finland. I would hate to be poor in the US...