The US system of government could, perhaps, be described as a: "Duopolistic Elective Oligarchy" or, in the case of the US or France where the Prez has significant power, "Elective Dictatorship".
In fairness, so could just about every other so called democracy on this planet - and how many are there in that gallimaufry of one or two hundred thugogracies in the "United Nations" - two dozen? three dozen?
Even elective oligarchies with proportional representation form multi polar elective oligarchies 24 hours after the scheduled election. (thanks for voting us in, suckers, see yah in X years).
"The People" exercise power only on the day of the election.
The Mainstream Media, despite having a dimishing amount of influence with the advent of the net, still wields enormous power as far as politicos are concerned, simply because it's visible to the passer by.
Banner headlines in newsagents frighten politicos and the MSM would continue to have this effect even if tabloid and mag circulations went down by a further 50%
Apart from the excessive influence of the MSM, lobbying, and that includes street demos (that occasionally lead to civil turmoil) are the only ways to attract the attention of the politicos in between elections.
Only thieves get involved in peaceful lobbying and only thugs get involved in the street demo kind.
Civilised people are left out in the cold between elections.
"The People" as a whole have no representation once election day is over.
That is how it was designed to be by the politicos who developed various "democratic" constitutions.
In the American context, consider the contempt the "Founding Fathers" had towards the people's "passions" and the need to develop a constitution that would prevent common people to have a direct say in approving laws.
(Please. Pretty please. Desist from the tedious: "We Are A Carnstitooshanal Republic, not a Democracy" stufz).