At least in the West, I'd say democracy has generally been fairly stable... but the forces opposed to it have strengthened or weakened over time.
Anything which deconcentrates or destroys capital (rapid innovation, war) relatively strengthens democracy.
An age of peace, and lack of political will to prevent innovation-capture by current monopolies, results in democracy weakening relative to commercial interests.
Anything which deconcentrates or destroys capital (rapid innovation, war) relatively strengthens democracy.
An age of peace, and lack of political will to prevent innovation-capture by current monopolies, results in democracy weakening relative to commercial interests.