I would take democracy and people's will over dictatorship any day. I know that people's will shall prevail. But to say that people are wise and always make good decisions is a little stretch.
Yes, in some places that may well be true but it certainly is not in our case. Even in the USA, the so called most advanced and developed country, the people don't always make good collective decisions. Again, that is in no way an attempt on my part to undermine democracy - even with all its flaws.
From the leftist model you mean the socialist/marxist model then I would agree but I definitely believe in the social welfare model. Places like Denmark rank on the top where people are happy and content. They don't complain about high taxes and 'support' to people who had fell on hard times. I think the ultimate goal is the welfare of the people and community and if it requires subsidizing a commodity or service or whatever then so be it. If you introduce a sense of community and make people feel that they are part of that community then things and priorities change.
I may be wrong but I am guessing that you are fan of capitalism where everyone is on their own and some people may get disproportionately rich and some may slide down into extreme poverty.
From what I know in places like Denmark a doctor pretty much has the same status in the society as a bus driver. This way you are giving choices to be what they want to be and live their lives but it doesn't hampers the chances for the children of both and they have equal chances. I know that there are some flaws with that system too but then again check the index of most happy people and you will find that the Scandinavian countries consistently rank at the top.