A solution to the problem of how we're dragged down by technology and by our political systems (even democracy) would begin with increasing our knowledge of what's happening. Philosophical training, especially in the skills of critical thinking would go a long way. Intelligence alone, though, is insufficient. What's needed is a type of character that's not so easily dragged down.

The opposite of a liberal consumer society in which the worst often rises to the top (because the empowered majority is of relatively low character) is a meritocracy, but even that type of society can go off the rails. China is supposed to be a meritocracy, so the question is whether the elite judges deciding on the culture's content would be naturally corrupted by their concentrated power. Of course they would be.

Religions are supposed to make us meritocratic, since the gods judge what's best. But science disenchants the world, making it harder to take religions seriously.

In any case, society can improve only if we as individuals improve and start making better choices. But high-quality characters tend to be in the minority.