Democracy is in a mess. Voters have become disengaged and disenchanted. The hopes associated with the achievement of universal suffrage have only partially been fulfilled. The number of democracies in the world grew impressively after 1945, but in the last decade of financial crisis and austerity it has begun contracting again. A new breed of authoritarian, illiberal democracies are on the rise and populist nationalists are making inroads, attacking what they see as the stranglehold of liberal elites and experts on government. They want the people to take back control but in ways that undermine many of the institutions which makes democratic government democratic, such as the rule of law, freedom of the press, and protection of minorities.
展开▼
