While individual freedoms do not necessarily result in democratic systems, I cannot envisage a democratic system without individual freedoms. Balancing the power of financial capital, that was necessary to build factories, with labour, that is necessary for any knowledge-based enterprise, is a first step. I work in some very flat organizations at this time and must say that work gets done quicker and I am much more motivated to work. A core part of democracy is shared power, in its many manifestations through history. I still think it's the best framework for the workplace as well.