The problem here is that the backroom deal of two states (California and New York) now has influence over states that are totally unrelated like e.g. Wyoming. This turns the US into a tyranny where might is right. Why should Californians have a say about how the internet should work in Wyoming?

(The reality of course is that the US has had not only a say, but often the only say in how the internet should work in the rest of the world for decades, and when it comes to copyright law we have an undemocratic international treaty dating back generations that keeps pushing expiry dates back and back globally)

I never said that the US is a great example for a functioning democracy. The best example for democracy is Switzerland. It also has the highest standard of living in the world as a result.

Switzerland's high standard of living is almost entirely due to their smartness. They kept out of wars and as a result could incrementally (and exponentially) build wealth instead of rebuilding their country from ruins every few decades.

It kept out of wars because it is a direct democracy.

People almost never vote in favor of war.

Switzerland kept out of wars because it wasnt invaded. Poland didnt decide to join WW2.

And it only wasn't invaded because the entire country was (and is) a standing army, and Germany would have to pay dearly for every mile they tried to take.

IIRC they even shot down german war planes that entered their airspace and suffered no retaliation.

So yeah, they do have a knack for maintaining their neutrality.

Surely you're aware that Switzerland is close to implementing broadly the same law?

Can you link to the law you're referring to ?

> It also has the highest standard of living in the world as a result.

That's a non sequitur. I believe that these copyright changes will apply in Switzerland too due to international agreements.

There are many types of democracy, each have pros and cons.

That argument also applies to any democracy (or indeed any polity larger than a household): why should the people in my town have a say over the laws in the adjacent town?

Italy is not really on the way out, and the few politicians who supported the idea changed their mind after brexit

I'm bemused by the idea of France (74) and Germany (96) - totaling 23%, controlling the parliament alone.

I haven't looked at who voted, but I suspect that the votes aren't on a country-by-country basis either.