​Democracy has been believed to be the best form of governance, but now it’s in the firing line. Between increasing authoritarianism and growing public disillusionment, it’s no surprise that people are now asking if democracy is on a decline.

In order to answer this question, we first need to understand what democracy is, how it has changed, where it sits in the global context, and whether we are able to watch it decline in real time.

What is Democracy?

Democracy comes from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (rule)- which gives us “rule by the people”. This rather basic succinctness has developed into a substantial system of values and arrangements.

Key Characteristics of Democracy:

Feature	Description
Free & Fair Elections	Citizens choose their leaders without coercion or fraud.
Rule of Law	Everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law.
Freedom of Expression	Citizens can speak, publish, and assemble without fear.
Independent Judiciary	Courts operate without political interference.
Minority Rights Protection	Ensures majority rule doesn’t become tyranny.
Political Pluralism	Multiple political parties and ideologies are allowed.

Most democracy in modern nations takes the form of representative democracy, where the public elect officials to govern on their behalf. Some countries, such as Switzerland, use direct democratic features (e.g. referendums) to allow the public to engage in key decisions.

Why Are People Saying Democracy Is in Decline?

It does not always involve military coup or violent takeover. Nowadays democracies are more likely to die slowly and lawfully.

Indicators of Backsliding Democracy:

• Attacks to Freedom of the Press
• Manipulation of the Judiciary
• Voter Suppression
• Disinformation and Polarization
• Erosion of Minority Rights
• Longer Terms/Power Grabs

Countries like Hungary and Turkey show that democratically elected leaders are headed in a controllable way to weaken democratic institutions often with the framing of “national interest” or “national security.”

In the US, rapid mistrust, gerrymandering and extremism also raises concern, especially in light of things like the January 6th capitol insurrection.

Case Study: Democratic Erosion in Practice

To help assess whether democracy is declining, it is helpful to look at actual cases where democratic norms have been visibly weakened.

1. Brazil: Once recognized as an emerging democratic power, Brazil has been plagued by political polarization, disinformation campaigns, and a trust deficit in its electoral authorities, particularly under former president Jair Bolsonaro, who cast doubt on the integrity of elections without evidence of any fraud.
2. Poland: After a series of controversial reforms that reshaped the judiciary, consolidating power in the executive branch, the ruling party (Law and Justice Party or PiS) has had European union leaders sounding alarm bells, declaring a systematic dismantling of Poland’s democracy.
3. Philippines: Under Rodrigo Duterte, the press faced harassment, and extrajudicial killings escalated as part of the “drug war,” while elections were held, the erosion of democratic norms was tellingly quick.

These examples are useful when we try to answer the various questions regarding the death of democracies or the definition of functioning democracies.

Can Democracies Recover?

Not all democracies on the decline are doomed. There are examples of recovery and rejuvenation – often through mobilizing civil society or dealing with resistive political institutions.

Examples of democratic resilience:

• South Korea transitioned from military dictatorship to a thriving democracy during late 20th century.
• Chile moved beyond the Pinochet dictatorship via a strong constitutional framework and an engaged civic society.
• Despite recent tensions, the United States witnessed record levels of voter turnout in the 2020 elections, demonstrating a revival of public interest in democratic processes.

Recovery often includes:

• Rebuilding trust in electoral processes.
• Reforming institutions.
• Protecting freedom of the press.
• Fostering civic engagement.

The above will help to address questions like what is representative democracy, why does democracy matter, and how can it be saved.

Is Democracy Declining by the Numbers?

There are a number of organizations who research the health of democracy across the globe, including Freedom House, the V-Dem Institute and the Economist Intelligence Unit. Below is a snapshot:

Year	% of World Population Living in Full Democracies
2006	14.4%
2016	8.9%
2024	6.4%

This drop isn’t just symbolic. It reflects real shifts in power, both institutional and psychological. When public trust erodes, so does the fabric of democracy.

Is Democracy in Decline?

So, after all of this, the fundamental question is this: is democracy actually in trouble and is democracy actually in retreat?

Yes and no.

Declining:

• Across the world, many institutions are under attack.
• Voter turnout is declining.
• Political conversations are polarized.

But Resilient:

• Across the world, public protests are taking place to speak out against the loss of democratic rights.
• Younger generations are aware, politically informed, and digitally organized.
• Civil society and untethered media still work to ensure public transparency.

Democracy is taking not being destroyed; it is being tested. Democracy requires not only electoral ballots but also continuous participation, vigilance, and reform.

Is Every Country That Votes a Democracy?

While many nations hold elections, not all qualify as full democracies. A closer look reveals key differences.

Democracy Spectrum:

Type	Examples	Key Features
Liberal Democracies	Sweden, Canada, Germany	Strong institutions, free press, civil liberties
Illiberal Democracies	Hungary, Turkey	Elections exist but rights are limited, media controlled
Authoritarian Regimes	China, North Korea, Iran	One-party rule or dictatorship, no real opposition allowed

Countless people are prompted by curiosity to Google phrases like “Is Russia a democracy?” and “Is Singapore a democracy?” And while both of these countries have an identifiable democratic structure, they delete key freedoms and checks from the process.

A Brief History: Where did Democracy come from?

The world’s first documented democracy was in Athens (5th century BCE) males living in the city state voted directly on laws. The Athenian democracy was flawed, restrictive and exclusionary, but introduced ideas around citizen participation and civic responsibility.

Modern democracy was influenced by enlightenment philosophers, like:

• John Locke – rights of individuals
• Montesquieu – separation of powers
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau – general will

These constructs were used to create more constitutional democracies in the US, France and, eventually much of Europe.

Democracy vs Republic: What’s the Difference?

A common online debate is whether the U.S. is a democracy or a republic. The truth is, it’s both.

Democracy	Republic
Rule by the majority	Rule by elected reps + constitution
Can exist without strong rights	Rights are protected by law
Ancient Athens	Modern U.S., India, France

Most modern democracies are constitutional republics: the people elect leaders, but those leaders are limited by a legal framework that protects individual rights and freedoms.

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Examples: Where Does Democracy Stand Today?

Let’s look at the current state of democracy in some key countries:

Country	Is It a Democracy?	Reality Check
USA	Constitutional Republic	Polarization, voter issues, but strong institutions remain
UK	Parliamentary Democracy	Democratic but faces concerns around free speech laws
India	Largest democracy	Concerns about Press freedom
Russia	Electoral Autocracy	Elections exist, but no genuine opposition
China	Authoritarian State	No elections for top leadership, one-party rule
Singapore	Controlled Democracy	Elections occur, but one party dominates & dissent is curbed

What Defines Democracy in British Values?

Democracy in the UK is being taught as a British value in schools, which includes

• Rule of Law
• Freedom of expression
• Equality
• Democratic rights; the right to vote and be heard

In Britain democracy is a parliamentary democracy with a Prime Minister from the governing party (or coalition) that has the most support in the House of Commons, with the monarch being largely ceremonial.

So, when people say when did Britain become a democracy, the answer is rather vague, and gradual:

• 1832 – Reform Act – everyone eligible for vote
• 1918 – Women over 30 could vote
• 1928- Women of equal age to vote as men.

What’s the Difference Between Direct and Representative Democracy?

Type	Description	Example
Direct Democracy	Citizens vote directly on laws/issues	Switzerland’s frequent referendums
Representative	Citizens elect leaders who make decisions	Most modern democracies

While direct democracy is more “pure,” it’s impractical for large, complex societies. That’s why representative systems dominate globally.

What Is the Opposite of Democracy?

The opposite of democracy is authoritarianism or dictatorship—systems where power is held by one person or group, without meaningful input or oversight from the people.

System	Core Feature
Democracy	Power by the people
Dictatorship	Power by one person or party
Monarchy	Power inherited through family lineage
Oligarchy	Power by a small elite group

Conclusion

Democracy is not finished. But it is imperiled. It is being tested not just by authoritarian countries—but by the people’s own frailties, fatigue, frustration, and rapidly declining faith.

That’s precisely where hope exists. Because democracy has always been a promise. A promise to govern collectively, speak freely, protect those most vulnerable, enforce accountability by those in power.

Yes, it’s messy, slow, and it can be maddening. Yet, in a world that is increasingly authoritarian and awash with misinformation, democracy is still our best chance of freedom with justice.

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