ABSTRACT This paper explores the mounting global threats to democracy. Tracing democracy's Western origins in ancient Athens through the Enlightenment revolutions and the rise of liberal democracies, the paper examines how contemporary democracies—both established and emerging—are under strain. Drawing on recent empirical research and theoretical frameworks, it identifies five intersecting drivers of democratic erosion: The resurgence of authoritarianism, the institutional weakening of democratic norms, political polarization fueled by populism, disinformation and the collapse of shared epistemic foundations, deepening economic inequality and the inability of democratic systems to adequately respond to global crises such as climate change and pandemics. The analysis emphasizes that democratic backsliding often occurs gradually and legally, masked in procedural legitimacy and fueled by psychological dynamics of fear and disavowal. Ultimately, this paper calls attention to the urgent need for civic engagement, institutional resilience, and critical public discourse to safeguard democracy in an increasingly volatile world. Finally, it is suggested that it is important to consider a range of disciplinary perspectives to understand these deeply troubling trends.
Jonathan Cohen (2026) studied this question.