Avoiding the public eye isn't the same as getting kidnapped or lost mysteriously (like QuadrigaCX exchange founder).
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How can you be so sure? Let's say someone living in the poorest part of the world has two choices. The first choice is to have a salary of $20 per month, but he can participate in the elections and has the freedom to use social media. The second choice is to have a salary of $1,000 per month. But in this case, he doesn't have the freedom to participate in the elections, or to use social media. If you believe that a majority would select the first option then you are wrong. You guys have no experience of living in poverty.
Most people would use part of that $1000/month to buy a VPN to bypass social media blockades but I doubt they would blink an eye about elections.
Yea. The US gov is no good at creating democracies in other countries (whether via CIA or direct invasion), because they're impatient and want everything finished immediately.
The British empire was the best at spawning governments IMO, they didn't mind waiting for a century to build them up.