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According to a recent article by Allan Stam in Online Opinion democracy is currently being questioned on all fronts. However, Stam argues that empirical evidence by political scientists prove that well functioning democracies embark in safe foreign policy. 

The reason is that people do not want to be part of expensive and long-lasting wars. This is becuase this is not in the majorities self-interest. Meanwhile, politicians do not want to be leaders of unpopular wars.

Therefore, democratic institutions such as voting, free press and separation of powers help politicians engage in an efficient foreign policy that wins wars. 

Stam says that recent studies show that:

"Aristocrats do not bring out the best in the people. Rather, it is
the so-called mob that brings out the best in the government elite."