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This was clear to everyone who understood the situation even back in the 19th century. But the image itself – "You decide, we only serve the people" – is ultimately appealing to the electorate. And I'm not talking about the results, but specifically about user loyalty.
A little [del]hypocrisy[/del] friendly attention to the needs of users hasn't hurt anyone yet.

That's true. That's why new leaders often position themselves as more democratic than their predecessors. And then, whatever happens, happens.

But the established leaders don't have that resource; everyone already knows everything about them, so the most sensible step is to be honest – to explain in which areas democracy is possible in their opinion, and in which it is not.