Democracy only works for pirate ships

Pirates (from the 16th century Carribbean, or thenabouts) were notorious thieves, rapists, boozers, etc; yet only they were able to run a democratic society (on their ships). Knowing how their own kind was to be trusted, the captain (democratically elected and balanced by an elected quartermaster) did not have any great power over the rest; he slept with the rest (I mean he rested in the same sleeping quarters as the rest of the crew). Decisions (including about punishment) were made in common. The only time he had absolute authority was during battles. If he misbehaved, he could be ousted. Compare that to the western democracies we live in these days: if you try to remove the government, hard, cruel punishments will befall you. PS my source for this information about pirates is Chris Woodall’s entertaining book Republic of pirates: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442239.The_Republic_of_Pirates https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/republic-of-pirates-being-the-true-and-surprising-story-of-the-caribbean-pirates-and-the-man-who-brought-them-down/245494?refId=38712&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0e74mujK8gIVzO3mCh3KcgvrEAAYAiAAEgLV1fD_BwE