You’ve probably heard the phrase “shareholder democracy” tossed around at investor meetings or in financial news—but here’s the thing: in practice, it’s often more of a polite fiction than a reality. Most shareholders hold stakes, but few actually get a say in how a company is run. Meanwhile, the SEC —the watchdog of U.S. markets—sets rules that decide just how loud those voices can be. Why does this matter now? Because the stakes are higher than ever. From Wall Street giants