I support a limited democracy. A dictatorship is the most efficient, however, history has shown us that Benevolent and Dictatorship are oxymorons. It also requires that one person to have way more knowledge about too many things than a single person is capable of. Thus, though efficient, not very welcoming.
I think Heinlein, in Starship Troopers, had a good idea. Although, I think the demonstration of being able to society above self by military service is a good start, I would also include law enforcement and FireFighters. But if I remember right, only citizens were allowed to be law enforcement and only those who had served could be citizens.
If not that, then at least some form of demonstration of worthiness to be a citizen should be a requirement and handle the responsibility of voting and governance.
Although I don't like it as much, John Ringo and David Weber, in March to the Sea, had the idea that in order to vote and participate in government, one had to pay a given percentage of their wealth, no matter what the amount. I don't remember the exact percentage they used, but basically, everyone had to give 10%, so if had 100 million, you paid 10 million for the privilege of voting, if you only had 10, then you gave 1.
Another Idea that I also liked, from another book don't remember title and author atm, was that in order to hold public office, one had to give up all personal wealth and the citizens got to vote for public pay, not their version of congress. Once in office, public pay and retirement only, no other income.