The Ancient Proof
There is an ancient proof, carved in history, that democracy without material means is a farce. And it comes from an exceptional witness: Aristotle.
In the Constitution of the Athenians, Aristotle describes the conditions of Athens before Solon's reforms. The oligarchies had concentrated land and wealth in their hands, reducing the poor to debt slavery. The multitude of citizens, free in name, were forced to work for creditors and to deprive themselves of the necessities to survive.
Solon's Response
Then came Solon. With his reforms, he abolished debts and freed those who had fallen into slavery. It was an act of justice, but also a kind of revenge against the oligarchs: he made enemies of the rich, who never forgave him for restoring dignity to the poor.
Evidently, they had wronged him. Perhaps personally. Perhaps collectively. But his response was political: he gave the people back the possibility of living.
Aristotle's Mistake
And here comes the most interesting part. Aristotle, a privileged observer, marvels at one fact: the poorest, those who could have gained the most from democracy, refused to participate in the assemblies. They did not show up. They did not vote. They did not deliberate.
Why? Aristotle does not understand. He was a man free from material worries. He had never had to work to eat. He could afford the luxury of observing others and philosophizing about their behavior.
The Truth Aristotle Did Not See
But the answer is simple, and reality gives it to us: the poor had no time. If they wanted to feed their families, they had to work. From dawn to dusk. They could not afford to spend the day in the assembly.
Athenian democracy, which on paper gave them power, in practice denied it, because it did not guarantee the means to live.
The Exact Same Farce Today
It is the exact same farce today. You proclaim the right to vote, but you do not guarantee housing, income, health, knowledge. You proclaim sovereignty, but those who must work to survive have no time to exercise it.
Democracy without material rights is only a rite for the privileged who have a full stomach and free time to participate.
Aristotle was a man of his time. But his mistake is the same as our politicians: he believed that participation depended on will. It depends on means. Without means, no will can hold. And sovereignty remains a privilege of a caste.