Some evening questions. On the reciprocity of regression and progression

During Berlusconi's populist rampage, I repeatedly tried to find out from my Italian acquaintances what was fueling the Cavaliere's popularity. At least to see more clearly. If the people cannot be replaced even when the members of the politburo would gladly choose someone else. This phenomenon was also known in antiquity, when the mood of the free Athenians and Romans fluctuated greatly. What they approved of yesterday, they rejected today. Democracy was constantly replaced by dictatorship. But if someone is a believer in the principle of popular sovereignty, how can they not respect the will of the people? Whether they understand their motivation is another question. Whether they approve of the decision is another question. And if they don't approve, what should they do? That's another question for the evening. I think I understand the factors behind Putin's popularity, who pursues Greater Russian interests with the tools of the secret service. At the time, I also thought I understood Slobodan Miloševiċ's popularity. In some cases, an overwhelming majority will elect a slick, sickeningly deceitful scoundrel. And then democratic elections, in themselves, may not be the only sufficient condition for democracy after all. When examining the origins of the local or even global populist turn and what lessons it holds for democracy, a believer in popular sovereignty cannot avoid this question. Once the majority of voters have had enough of the chaos caused by the many petty thieving oligarchs, the corruption that is grinding down the state machinery and draining the state coffers, and would rather have a dictator, a strong man...