I always mix those up, let alone wonder how well other people know the difference so I just tend to explain as I go kind of thing, if that makes sense

I guess I define best by asking myself if I'd prefer at this moment to live in any other system. Not really. Longer civilizations existed but they subsisted off of imperialism, sacrifices to the gods, and slavery. They made marginal improvements but did not expand median life expectancy to the extent our democracies did either. The number of rights attained in such a short time for disenfranchised groups is also unparalleled.

Despite what people complain about wars, we are actually living in some of the most peaceful times in human history -- again much of this is thanks to the imperfect improvements of Democracy.

I don't have a solution, but indirect democracy seems to have perverse incentives that lead to this.

That kinda does imply a solution, doesn't it? The voter fatigue problem of direct democracy can be solved with modern communication technology and liquid democracy.