In brief
Political scientist Adam Przeworski's exploration into why democracies falter reveals unsettling truths about the current global landscape, questioning the long-held belief in democratic consolidation amid recent autocratic tendencies.
In recent years, the alarm has been sounded on the global state of democracy as historical shifts towards autocracy take center stage. Political scientist Adam Przeworski's inquiry into the durability of democratic governance has resurfaced significant insights from his experiences and research. His journey began in the tumultuous backdrop of Poland and later in Chile, where he witnessed firsthand the abrupt emergence of authoritarian regimes. This has shaped his academic pursuit to uncover the essential conditions that uphold democracy against authoritarian encroachments.Traditionally, political scholars believed that democratic institutions became resilient after a certain threshold of economic development and a series of peaceful substantive power transitions. However, the last decade has dramatically challenged this narrative. The unprecedented events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot in the U.S. reflected a breach of democratic norms, casting doubt on the sanctity of peaceful transitions. Meanwhile, Brazil’s political unrest following Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency and the electoral upheaval in nations across Western Europe have underscored a pervasive decline in trust toward democratic processes.These alarming trends signal that no democracy is invulnerable; rather, the specter of authoritarianism looms large even in historically stable regions. To safeguard against these threats, scholars and policymakers alike must re-examine the dynamic interplay between societal beliefs, institutional integrity, and the legal frameworks underpinning democracy. Understanding and addressing the vulnerabilities that can lead to democratic backsliding has never been more urgent, as societies grapple with the evolving definition and functionality of their political systems.
