There is really no perfect form of government aside from that of God. This thing we call democracy is not what most countries are practicing. For most places it is just a name that politicians use to cover their greed, selfishness and wickedness.
I feel the problem is not with the system but with the people that rule, if the righteous are in power, the definitely, there would be progress and growth.
Ur last paragraph says it all
Hopefully we get the right ppl someday