TD and HH, I was waiting for the bite.
Democratic is another flexible word.
Deutsches Democratic Republic being one.
The I can think of many allies of the USA where democratic is probably a flogging offense alongside adultery or driving a car.
Then there are other democracies who would consider themselves free but in no way beholden to the US of A.
Leading, most powerful and arguably only superpower is true, but with the might to impose its will on any other power, by definition, means no other power is free.
I am only arguing, from an intellectual point of view, on the use of the words rather than the real politik.