By Dr. ADEDEJI ABIOLA ADELEYE
Democracy at the crossroads
Once hailed as the world’s inevitable political destiny, democracy now stands at a crossroads. Old-style coups and brazen electoral fraud may be fading, but subtler threats—erosion of institutions, polarization, illiberal populism, and creeping authoritarianism—are steadily hollowing democracy from within. The question is no longer whether democracy can flourish, but whether it can survive.
The Myth of Resilience:
The belief that democracy always “bounces back” is one of its most dangerous illusions. As Matías Bianchi, Nic Cheeseman, and Jennifer Cyr warn, recovery after authoritarian lapses is rare and often incomplete. Venezuela, Turkey, and Hungary stand as stark reminders that once institutions are weakened and norms shattered, democracy seldom returns intact.
Prevention, therefore, is essential. Independent courts, robust legislatures, and impartial electoral commissions must be strengthened before they are tested. Democracy is best protected not in the aftermath of a crisis but in the foresight of one.
Results Matter
Institutions, however, are only part of the story. Performance legitimacy is equally vital. As Francis Fukuyama, Chris Dann, and Beatriz Magaloni note, citizens are abandoning democracy less out of ideological conviction than practical disappointment. Rising inequality, insecurity, and poor services erode faith in democratic governance. If democracy cannot meet people’s material needs—jobs, healthcare, justice, and safety—it risks becoming an empty shell. Authoritarian “quick fixes” gain traction when democracy seems incapable of delivering results.
Capitalism and Democracy
The relationship between capitalism and democracy is more complex than many assume. Steven Levitsky, Lucan Way, and Semuhi Sinanoglu argue that it is not “business capture of the state” but state capture of business that most undermines democracy. When ruling elites twist markets to reward loyalists and punish dissenters, democratic competition withers.
Transparent regulation, fair taxation, and open markets make capitalism a partner in sustaining democracy rather than an accomplice in its decline.
Polarization: Democracy’s Inner Enemy
Perhaps democracy’s gravest internal enemy is polarization. Research by Milan Svolik reveals that many citizens will overlook democratic violations if it means their party wins. In such contexts, partisan loyalty trumps democratic principle, and compromise—the lifeblood of democracy—evaporates.
To counter this, democracies must invest in civic education, foster media literacy, and reform electoral systems with innovations such as ranked-choice voting that reward moderation and coalition-building.
Diversity as a Test of Strength
Religious and ethnic diversity present democracies with some of their most difficult tests. Şener Aktürk’s work shows how exclusion fuels authoritarian temptation. Where minorities feel permanently marginalized, democracy appears rigged, and illiberal alternatives gain traction.
The survival of democracy depends on inclusive citizenship: protecting minority rights, broadening participation, and affirming diversity as a source of strength rather than a fault line.
Dictatorial Drift: A Global Threat
Beyond domestic fragility lies the problem of dictatorial drift. As Grzegorz Ekiert and Noah Dasanaike warn, many “soft” authoritarian states are hardening into outright dictatorships. The decline of democracy is no longer local but global.
Here, democracies must show solidarity. Civil society groups, independent media, and democratic activists abroad need real support—financial, diplomatic, and technological. Global democracy will not be defended by rhetoric alone.
After Illiberalism
Even where illiberal regimes are ousted, recovery is not automatic. As Stanley Bill and Ben Stanley demonstrate in Poland, rebuilding liberal democracy after illiberalism is a painstaking process. Leaders face a dilemma: act quickly and risk accusations of overreach, or proceed cautiously and risk losing momentum. Either way, illiberal opponents exploit every misstep.
Resilient recovery requires not only institutional repair but also cultural renewal—citizens must once again see democracy as worth defending.
The Road Ahead
The evidence is sobering: democracies are more fragile than many once believed. Yet despair is premature.
Democracy can survive—but only if it adapts.
– Prevent authoritarian drift with strong institutions.
– Deliver tangible results that improve lives.
– Tame polarization through reforms and civic education.
– Embrace diversity as a democratic asset.
– Defend democracy globally through solidarity and support.
The survival of democracy in the twenty-first century will not depend on nostalgia or moral claims alone. It will rest on whether democracy can prove itself practically indispensable—capable of delivering justice, prosperity, and dignity while safeguarding freedom.
The real question is not whether democracy can survive. It is whether we are willing to do what it takes to ensure that it does.
Dr. Adeleye is a communications and governance specialist.