What’s there to participate in if the country can’t secure Democratic elections or if the people cant trust the elections are true or if the courts can’t enforce the rules that keep the machine running or if the people lack any kind if shared knowledge that binds them so they are aware how the system runs.
Participation is important in Democratic countries but its not what makes democracy possible. Democracy is only possible when there are key things in place for it to rest on. Subversion is kicking those legs out from under it. Propaganda targets the civilians to do the kicking.