The Elves did not experience time like humans. Being immortal, they were not so hurried and impatient, and were definitely not comfortable with change. Their minds were rooted in the past- look how interested they were in the old songs, and bemoaning how the old way had gone the way of the Druadan, not with achieving great things themselves. So any arguments about class or democracy are problematic, in that they are applying human, and especially Western, principles and theories to an alien culture. Western style prinicples of rulership and government didn't work in China- the culture was resistant to it.
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-Halbarad to Aragorn, 'The Passing of the Grey Company' Book V, Return of the King."A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk. Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not"
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