Democracy is intended to be a system of government which recognizes the right of all members of society to influence political decisions, either directly or indirectly. The Western type of democracy has appeared to reach many of its objectives in allowing freedom. Yet in many respects, this type of freedom is a facade, since it leaves many citizens incapable of fully empowering themselves. Capitalism plays a central role in this failure, since it ends up negating the freedom and choice of the individuals inside a democracy. Democracy, in other words, is hurt by the very system that simultaneously supports it. Political equality can exist with political inequality in democracy and this is exactly why modern democracy does not really epitomize freedom in the true sense of the word.