Matei Vișniec: Europa – Frumoasa din pădurea adormită poate salva democrația în lume

Thank you for this, I hadn't read Matei Visniec before. It does sound very convincing.

And while we are on it, here's another thinker from the wider region that speaks of related topics (even if in the 90s) and lived in France: https://www.kairospresse.be/interview-of-daniel-mermet-with-cornelius-castoriadis/

If you don't have time to read all, consider at least the part about pseudo-democracy.