As a South American that doesn't want the return of military dictatorships era, I need to add this:

> Democracy isn't a panacea. See also: South Africa, the crumbling rape-capital.

No, it isn't a panacea. But dictatorships are a disease and democracy is a cure for that particular disease.

Also, you can fight crime in big cities in a democracy (e.g.: NYC, Sao Paulo and in the last months Rio de Janeiro)