Is the world witnessing a resurgence of non-liberal democracies?

From France and Israel to the escalating conflict between American Republicans and Democrats, the world is witnessing a chain of unsettling events

Is the world witnessing a resurgence of non-liberal democracies?

In what appears to be a global attack on already-troubled democracies, the world is witnessing several attempts to impose authoritarian rule hiding behind the guise of the ballot box. This signifies a resurgence of non-liberal democracy, which threatens the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Recent developments in different democracies are startling.

From France and Israel to the escalating conflict between American Republicans and Democrats — which recently led to the banning of specific textbooks because of so-called “inappropriate” content — the world is witnessing a chain of unsettling events.

Read more: Netanyahu bid to curb Israeli Supreme Court powers sparks national outcry

In some corners of the world, we find presidents trying to impose constitutional amendments to maintain their positions indefinitely. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, three prime ministers have consecutively assumed office in the span of three months.

At the same time, the world is grappling with new wars that appear to have no solutions or end. Feuding parties no longer see war as an exception but as the new status quo. Such normalisation of war poses an imminent threat to global stability.

Feuding parties no longer see war as an exception but as the new status quo. Such normalisation of war poses an imminent threat to global stability.

"Unsuitable circumstances for peace" is a new term that has found its way into the political lexicon.

Meanwhile, we increasingly find peace and war coexisting within a single geography, even where the lines of contact separate major nuclear-armed powers and not merely militias controlling neighbourhoods.

Painting a comprehensive and coherent picture that connects the various pressure points around the world is challenging.

Global players around the world are increasingly rejecting the "universal values" preached by the West which, in their view, only serves its interests and protects is power.

Connecting the dots

Against this backdrop, several questions arise. Are the events unfolding in Israel and France connected? Both nations are experiencing popular uprisings against democratically elected governments. Meanwhile, the British government has not caved to electorate demands over the "cost of living" crisis.

Why are divisions between Republicans and Democrats in the United States deepening so rapidly? While division has always existed, recent right-wing Republican calls for separation between red and blue states, are unprecedented in modern US history.   

This increasing polarisation is also unfolding in other major democracies.

In India, for example, the overwhelming popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the emergence of a cult of personality around him has also exacerbated divisions. What were once considered as isolated instances of hate speech against Muslims, have become the consensus amongst Hindus.

All of these developments point to a deeper problem — the national and socialist "utopia" has become a persistent hell, marked by an endless series of civil, sectarian and regional strife. The Middle East is rife with such examples.

All of these developments point to a deeper problem — the national and socialist "utopia" has become a persistent hell, marked by an endless series of civil, sectarian and regional strife. The Middle East is rife with such examples.

Tools to control the masses

The economic and social deterioration unfolding in many parts of the world are being brought on by global polarisation and a shift in power dynamics and also the increased ability to control the masses through the power of technology.

The Chinese app TikTok, for example, seems to have a more profound impact on younger generations, shaping their choices, tastes, and interests and thus influencing future generations' inclinations, while traditional media continues to play a vital role.

The content industry has taken on a new form without abandoning its primary mission — to influence and control the masses. Opinions are not only shared in newspapers and magazines but are disseminated through quick and digestible soundbites on social media, able to reach more people — at a much faster pace — than traditional media.

We find ourselves in a world where the role of the citizen — who once fought for their right to choose their own leaders — is in jeopardy.

But for how long can authoritarianism hide behind ballot boxes?

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