Look: 掌握科技means scientists and engineers, rather than politicians who respect science and technology.
Does 民主連文化都算不上了 mean that 民主 is always part of 文化?
You are right only half-way if 民主 is a way of life and thinking; when it is a mode of government, 民主 also stands as the essential part of politics, which is often different from 文化.
A huge political change could come all of sudden while cultural changes often take a long time.