What are alternatives to Democracy?
Alternatives might be one-party government or multiparty government. Some forms of “one-party” government that are alternatives to democracy: despotism, autocracy, dictatorship, totalitarianism, Fascism, Communism, monocracy, autocracy, plutocracy. Several forms of “multiparty” government as alternatives are also noted:  representative government, elective government; self-government, government by the people; republic, commonwealth.

The controlling difference is that in a “one-party” government the ruling person or group does not have to yield to the needs or wants of any other person or group. It has absolute power. No dialogue or compromise is necessary.

Whereas a “multiparty” government must constantly strive to reconcile what are often conflicting interests.

I have heard a quote something to the effect that “Americans are indentured servants to the state.” It suggests the view that the state, the government, in our country imposes a unique value system on everyone. Another view might be that “Americans are indentured servants to the market,” meaning that the market imposes a unique value system. Whatever validity there might be in either or both views needs to be clarified, unemotionally, because in truth, neither is desirable.

Neither the government nor the market is qualified to determine all standards for the lives of everyone.