Overview
Democratic resilience refers to the capacity of democratic systems to absorb and recover from internal and external shocks, such as economic crises, security threats, and social unrest. This concept has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of rising authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. According to a study by the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project, which tracks democratic trends globally, 70% of countries have experienced a decline in democratic quality since 2010. The work of scholars like Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of 'How Democracies Die', has highlighted the importance of informal democratic norms and institutions in maintaining democratic resilience. However, the relationship between democratic resilience and factors like economic inequality, social media, and populist movements remains contested. For instance, a report by the Pew Research Center found that 64% of Americans believe that the US democratic system is facing a crisis, while a study by the University of Cambridge's Centre for the Future of Democracy found that 71% of citizens across 27 countries believe that democracy is under threat. As the world grapples with the challenges of democratic resilience, it is essential to examine the complex interplay between these factors and the future of democratic governance.