Sorry bofin, but I think it would make a lot of the arguments we have previously had useless. If democracy is nothing but an organizational structure then why is it important? If we detach any inherent value from the concept of democracy then why discuss it?

I simply don't see a democracy that is not associated with the concept of rights - perhaps you and Brasas' construction of a democracy capable of genocide makes theoretical sense, but remember that the points I listed (Dahl's) were practical, not ideal. In my view a group of people agreeing on genocide are not a democracy, just a mob.

I think I can agree with the second statement, but I'm not sure of the third. Practially, I agree - I've never seen a more desireble organization of a nation than a democracy based on human rights - theoretically I am not as certain.

qanatoli