The Rise and Decline of Modern Democracy

The book assesses the rise of, subsequent political challenges to, and decline of, contemporary liberal democratic processes, particularly since the 'third wave of democratization from the 1990s. It argues that democracy has been a product of a need to find a political model that mediates between competing interests, but that fundamental changes to those conditions, imbalances within democratic countries, and between countries, have diminished the strength of the democratic proposition. Challengers to democracy, from the radical Right in developed countries to populist autocracy and state-centred authoritarianism in developing countries, have increasingly shown that democracy may not be the case. The book concludes that democracy may survive, but is likely to do so only with more substantial and conscious commitment to the democratic project and recognition of the need to replenish the fertility of the political soil in which democracy grows.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Rise and Decline of Modern Democracy is a comprehensive examination of the evolution, challenges, and setbacks of contemporary liberal democratic processes, particularly since the "third wave of democratization" in the 1990s. The book assesses the factors contributing to the rise of democracy, the subsequent political challenges it faces, and the factors that have led to its decline.

Democracy is in global decline, with fewer countries being classified as democratic and fewer people globally living in substantive democracies. Autocracy has become the dominant political form, and the future of democratic societies that remain is uncertain. Nationalism and populism have resurfaced, and more people are questioning the relevance of democracy to their needs and interests.

This book delves into the definition of democracy and explores the circumstances that allowed it to emerge. It argues that democracy has been a product of the need to find a political model that mediates between competing interests, building on conducive conditions. However, significant changes have occurred in these conditions, leading to imbalances within democratic countries and between countries. These changes have weakened the democratic proposition.

The central question posed by the book is whether democracy can continue as a matter of political will. Challengers to democracy, ranging from the radical Right in developed countries to populist autocracy and state-centered authoritarianism in developing countries, have demonstrated that this may not be the case. The book concludes that democracy may survive, but it will require a more substantial and conscious commitment to the democratic project, with recognition of the need to replenish the fertility of the political soil in which democracy grows.

This wide-ranging and empirically and theoretically rich book will be of interest to students, scholars, and researchers in political science, international relations, and social sciences. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of democracy, its challenges, and the potential for its revival.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032218168