The basic idea is that in a totalitarian society elites hoard knowledge and access to technology to support their own position, the common example is Saudi Air Force pilots are basically all princes.

democracy and openness and metritocracy leads to better people in positions of influence, and leads to organisations that are more mission focused and more flexible.

But it's a bet. There is no reason to believe that the military industrial complex of democratic mid-century USA is down to democracy or just luck.

But is "our society" defined by liberal democracy? And if so place our bets on liberal democracy