The Problem with Democracy: We are Horny, Greedy and Cruel

Democracy is based on the belief that people are more good than bad, that we are more curious than controlling, more playful than violent, and more kind than selfish.  I am not so sure anymore.  If the ways of a democratic society are based on the common denominator, and humans at base are horny, greedy and cruel, then society will be the same.  

I have come to suspect that we have not evolved to the point that our cognitive processes consistently overrule our animal instincts.  The idea that we can base our choices on verifiable information appears damned.  Civility is superficial and short-lived.  Democracy fails in the face of the self-righteous greed of our kind.  The solution of course would be a benevolent dictator, but the problem with those is that they are human too and the majority are not benevolent.

Please, America, prove me wrong.