Yeah, except business isn't necessarily democratic, so I'm not sure the analogy works. It's more like a great way for businesses to pass off a lot of the risk inherent in running a business while not really passing off much of the benefits of creating something successful. That is to say: profit.
Before it looks like I'm undermining the entire idea behind Kickstarter, a company with an impressive portfolio seeking funding from the community seems a bit more parasitic than a group of programmers trying to make their own game. One of the differences being that the company exists to make games, and already has cash behind them.
Confirming demand before spending time/money on development is a smart move, most video games don't break even.
The benefit to the consumer is they get to support a game that otherwise might not have been made if they choose to. They get a copy of the game they want.
Benefit to company decreased risk they will make game and no-one will buy + the cash flow + can bypass publishers.
