ADJECTIVE
1. satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; most suitable.
"the swimming pool is ideal for a quick dip"
2. existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality.
"in an ideal world, we might have made a different decision"
In other words, you concede that "democracy" by your definition is impossible.
> that does not mean that we should stop trying to make what we have better
But you appear to define "better" in terms of a standard that you admit is impossible.