The erosion of democracy, also known as democratic backsliding or autocratization, is a gradual and incremental process where the institutions, norms, and freedoms essential for a democratic system are weakened, often by elected leaders. This phenomenon is occurring globally, and for the first time in decades, there are more closed autocracies than democracies in the world.
High levels of income and wealth inequality are a strong predictor of democratic erosion, as dissatisfaction with the status quo can lead the public to support populist, anti-democratic leaders.
Declining public trust in political institutions and processes can create an opportunity for autocratic rulers to claim that these institutions are corrupt and should be dismantled.
The division of society into distrustful, antagonistic camps makes citizens more willing to tolerate undemocratic behavior by their own leaders out of fear of the opposition.
A primary driver is the expansion of the executive branch’s power beyond the established checks and balances of the judiciary and legislature, often by interfering with their independence.
Unlike a sudden military coup, democratic erosion is typically a slow, subtle deterioration that can go unnoticed until it is well advanced.
This involves undermining institutions that provide oversight, such as an independent media, non-governmental organizations, a non-partisan civil service, and the judiciary.
A primary driver is the expansion of the executive branch’s power beyond the established checks and balances of the judiciary and legislature, often by interfering with their independence.
Despite these trends, research shows that autocratization is not inevitable. Pro-democracy mass mobilizations, broad political coalitions, and independent judiciaries have successfully halted backsliding in countries like Brazil, Poland, and South Korea.
“There is always hope. People always have agency, knowledge is power, and perhaps most importantly, people can do together what they can’t do alone.”
