The prequels showed Star Wars fans what the galaxy was like before the Empire took over. At first glance, it seems like a time of peace and prosperity, but in the words of Palpatine, "The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good." During the invasion of Naboo, the Senate takes its sweet time deciding whether to help the planet. Queen Amidala speaks up, reminding her fellow officials, "I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee."
Anakin also points out that democracy moves very slowly because of constant arguing, telling Padme, "We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problems, agree what's in the best interests of all the people, and then do it."
"That is exactly what we do," she responds. "The trouble is that people don't always agree. In fact, they hardly ever do."
Granted, Anakin isn't a Sith yet in this scene, but it's fair to say he's transitioning into one and this is an example of Sith thinking. And Padme, having experience as a senator, openly confesses this is a common issue in the Galactic Senate. In her own words, elected officials "hardly ever" agree. Hate the Sith all you want, but they're right to say that democracy isn't perfect.
