We know that municipal (and regional) democracy cannot 
but fail if society at large is not fully democratized,
in the sense of meaningful influence and  a real voice
 for the majority that is at present allowed only to vote 
every four or five years while the important
 decisions are taken by professional 
       politicians susceptible to the pressures of the few, 
most often those with a lot of money. 

But we also know that society at large cannot be fully 
democratic if local (and regional) affairs are left 
unattended by local people failing to empower
themselves to decide the very things that affect them 
in an essential way at their very doorsteps. 
Local reform, aiming at an increased say of the many 
in everything vital for their communities,is the prerequisite for democracy in our societies.