People do not value democracy high, one would choose secured and highly paid job in authoritarian nation rather than being poor in democracy.
Agree, disagree?
Reason why I put this sentence was one discussion I happened to read in one not political forum. One side was telling that democracy was good because people from authoritarian/totalitarian systems are trying to escape to democratic nations. Another side had counterargument - people from Ukraine (democracy) moved to Russia (authoritarian nation) because of higher welfare and more jobs available.
The question however is if one thinking of his own life would even consider democracy as a factor. Security and not being taken out in the night - Yes. Democracy? Not me.
For example people in Latvia remember our own only national authoritarian regime (Karlis Ulmanis regime) as "good old Ulmanis times" - patriotism was on rise, exports and production levels good and we were among top in Europe for agriculture and had decent industry as well.