Common Wisdom

One of the arguments against direct democracy is that common people are likely to vote based on their own selfish desires, without considering their long term needs or the benefits to others. Though this may be true of a handful of people I don't accept it of the vast majority:

• Most people go to the dentists: they accept pain for future benefits.
• Most people save money, though they would rather spend it today.
• Most people will offer a helping hand to their neighbours.
• Many people give to charities and will go out of their way to help others in need.

In a representative democracy we attempt to appoint a wise person. In direct democracy we listen to a wise person and decide if we agree with them. The two aren't very different.

The above graph is taken from here.