We Use The Rule We Can Afford

—“most governments have been oligarchies – ruled by a minority, chosen either by birth, as in aristocracies, or by a religious organization, as in theocracies, or by wealth, as in democracies”— Will Durant

Cheap Religion: Theocracy. Socialism -> Poverty
Expensive Law: Aristocracy, Corporatism -> Market Capitalism – Wealth.
Very Expensive Commerce: Democracy -> Totalitarian socialism -> Poverty

The iron rule of oligarchy prevails.  Why?  Because a market for leadership will produce those leaders best able to control that market.