The Crisis of Liberal Democracy: Concepts and Approaches

The article examines the crisis of liberal democracy, a pressing issue in contemporary political science. In the second half of the 20th century, liberal democracy was widely regarded as an ideal model of societal organization. However, in the early 21st century, it faces significant internal and external challenges, including declining trust in institutions, societal polarization, erosion of civic culture, and the rise of authoritarian tendencies. The study explores theoretical approaches to this crisis through the works of thinkers such as F.Fukuyama, S.Huntington, E.Bernays, W.Lippmann, J.Schumpeter, Z.Brzezinski, A.Giddens, Y.Harari, S.Levitsky, D.Ziblatt, and others. It analyzes concepts explaining the crisis, including the monopolization of democratic discourse by liberal orthodoxy, erosion of social capital, globalization’s impact, and media manipulation. Particular attention is given to Schumpeter’s procedural approach to democracy, emphasizing clear rules and procedures to prevent conflicts. The article also traces the historical evolution of democracy, particularly during the «third wave of democratization» (1970s–1990s), and addresses contemporary challenges such as rising populism, distrust in elites, and the influence of transnational entities. It proposes a return to a neutral, procedural model of democracy that avoids ideological bias and accommodates cultural diversity. Democracy needs to rethink its mission to get rid of the excessive ideological burden. The authors concludes that overcoming the crisis is possible by restoring core democratic mechanisms – free elections, separation of powers, and freedom of speech –adapted to modern realities, which could lay the groundwork for a new wave of democratization.