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Democracy in crisis
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Democracy in crisis

Polarization, personality-based politics and disenchantment has led to the rise of populism

GIS, 2017

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Analytical
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

The world has entered a period of “democratic recession.” Rising economic inequality, globalization, and the expansion of state power have led to a breakdown in across-the-isle discourse, and an increase in personality-driven politics. Whether these trends are temporary, or mark the unraveling of the liberal democratic order, is an open question. Leveraging examples drawn from both his native India and the United States, Barun S. Mitra, director of the New Delhi-based Liberty Institute, presents a case for cautious optimism about the long-term future of liberal democracy, even while predicting that political upheavals will intensify in the near term.

Take-Aways

  • Democratic freedom and faith in the liberal democratic order is declining in a majority of countries around the world.
  • The United States – the world’s oldest democracy – and India – the world’s largest democracy – face similar trends, including the personalization of politics and intense partisanship which impairs cross-party discourse.
  • Citizens today tend to cast their votes based on allegiance to a given political party or personality rather than ideological principles.

About the Author

Barun S. Mitra is the director of the public policy think tank Liberty Institute in New Delhi, India. 


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