There has been talk of a "crisis of democracy" for a few decades now, and analysist try to figure out what's wrong with the people. I think it just means that the oligarchy can no longer rule undisturbed, and there's nothing wrong with the people but with Democracy™. The drive to approve the European "mini treaty" in the parliaments without a referendum is an example of this.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?