Why do I think democracy is the way to go? Because if I don't like a regime I can vote against it, give an opinion without fear of a knock on the door late at night, organise a politic group to oppose those in power and present my views openly, have the opinion and life style of others respected and have an open debate on important issues whilst respecting a decision if the outcome is not what I had hoped for.
I can do all of this without fear of prosecution or persecution.
The world you describe where the death penalty is still in place "because the majority want this" is also one where gay people would still be in fear of prosecution for being gay, where women would still be regarded as "goods and chattel", the Police would not intervene in domestic abuse, there would still be signs in pub doors which state "No dogs, no blacks, no Irish" and political and/or religious activists are tortured, beaten or disappear.
On the list of GP's for 2021, there are 15 countries of the 22 I would agree are socially responsible enough to have major sporting events held in them, although 3 of them are currently a bit "iffy".