Is capitalism to blame for democracy’s ills, or is it the antidote? Why is it so difficult to restore liberal democracy after bouts of authoritarianism — and what can we do to make democracy more resilient? How has religious diversity shaped democratic institutions across the centuries?
The new issue of the Journal of Democracy grapples with the biggest challenges facing democracies of the past, present, and future. Don’t miss the four essays below, free to read through July 31.
Can Capitalism Save Democracy?
Capitalism is often blamed for democracy’s ills. But much of the blame is misplaced. It is not business capture of the state but rather state capture of business that poses the greatest danger to democracy.
By Semuhi Sinanoglu, Lucan Way, and Steven Levitsky
Democracy After Illiberalism: A Warning from Poland
Restoring liberalism after illiberalism is no easy task: Leaders face hard choices between acting quickly and effectively while maintaining a commitment to democratic procedure. Worse, their illiberal opponents stand to benefit either way.
By Stanley Bill and Ben Stanley
The Myth of Democratic Resilience
We must face an uncomfortable truth: Democracies often fail to reverse the damage after an authoritarian lapse, if they manage to recover at all. If we are to make our political systems more resilient, we must steel democracy against authoritarianism before it is too late.
By Matías Bianchi, Nic Cheeseman, and Jennifer Cyr
Religious Exclusion and the Origins of Democracy
The most challenging type of diversity for democracy is religious diversity. This also helps explain why modern democracy first took root in Western Europe: Religiously homogenous populations went hand in hand with the early formation of parliaments.
By Şener Aktürk
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