Selk argues that democracy's crisis stems from society's progressive development rather than regression. Modern societies' complexity, increasing individualization, and rapid technological advancement present challenges that democracy cannot handle.

Selk criticizes the discrepancy between democratic theory and practice. He argues that democratic politics is characterized by populism, short-term thinking, and an inability to find long-term solutions to complex problems, leading to political disillusionment and loss of trust in the system.

Selk predicts not only the decline of democracy as political practice but also the end of democratic theory as an academic discipline. He argues that when democracy fails due to its own contradictions, the theory justifying it loses its validity.