Kate K.’s Post

I would like to share with you a little article I wrote about the crisis of democracy.

🌟 Celebrating Democracy Week: Understanding the Basics! 🌟  On September 15, we celebrated the International Day of Democracy! Hence, at DCDM Research, we're dedicating this entire week to explore what democracy really means and why it's important. 🗳️ So, what exactly is democracy? 🤔  According to the Council of Europe, democracy can be thought of as "power of the people": a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. In theory, a democracy is government on behalf of all the people, according to their "will". 🌍  In simple terms, democracy is a way of running a country where everyone gets to have a say in how things are done. Imagine if you and your friends decided what game to play by voting – that's democracy in action! 🏆 Stay tuned as we’ll dive into more interesting facts and insights about democracy this week! 📊  #InternationalDayOfDemocracy #Democracy #DCDMResearch #DemocracyWeek

🌍 Voices of Democracy: Leaders and changemakers answered the Global Democracy Coalition's important question: 'Why do you stand for democracy?' Their insights underscore the resilience and universality of democratic values. So, why do YOU stand up for democracy? #ThankYouDemocracy International IDEA

What are the social, cultural, and political resources that belong to those who resist democratic decline? Our partner Unbias The News is accepting pitches for the #DemocracyPlaybook project to look into how democratic values are defended: how do people build movements to protect institutions, the environment, and each other from elite capture and authoritarianism? ✍ If you have a story from the past or present that centers on social movements and their successful tactics and strategies for regaining control over their democracies, submit your pitch by 17 May: https://lnkd.in/e3WF4fST

🌍 Voices of democracy: Leaders and changemakers answer an important question we posed to them: Why do you stand up for democracy? Their insights underscore the resilience and universality of democratic values. So, why do YOU stand up for democracy? #ThankYouDemocracy Global Democracy Coalition International IDEA

Democracy is DEAD! In recent years, the very essence of democracy, once hailed as the pinnacle of governance, has come under threat. From the erosion of democratic norms to the rise of authoritarian tendencies, the global landscape presents a stark picture: democracy is dead, or at the very least, on life support. Key indicators that reflect the death of Democracy are: 1. Decline in Democratic Freedoms 2. Erosion of Democratic Norms 3. Rising Populism and Nationalism 4. Democratic Backsliding 5. Challenges to Electoral Integrity The factors contributing to its demise are multifaceted and complex, requiring a concerted effort from global leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens to reverse the tide. Failure to address these challenges not only threatens the future of democracy but also jeopardizes the fundamental rights and freedoms that form the cornerstone of a just and equitable society. As such, the time to act is now, lest we consign democracy to the annals of history.

Rethinking Political Polarization - PDF: https://lnkd.in/eABSVWun The comparative study of political polarization has been central to current debates on the global crisis of democracy. It has been built on uncertain conceptual foundations, though. Established uses of the concept lack a distinctive semantic core as multiple meanings compete against each other. On the basis of a broad reading of the comparative literature, I seek to circumscribe the use and reconstruct the core of political polarization as an instance of extraordinary democratic conflict. In a first step, I delineate the basic parameters of debate by distinguishing between cluster-analytic and conflict-analytic approaches and by specifying the generic type of political conflict that characterizes the polarization of democratic polities. In a second step, I argue for political intolerance as the defining trait of both ideological and social polarization. In a final step, I introduce a third, democratic dimension into the debate: the breakdown of basic democratic trust that leads actors to view their adversaries as “enemies of democracy.” Such perceptions spell the end of democratic consolidation. When played among “democratic enemies,” democracy stops being “the only game in town.” #politicalpolarization #politics #enemiesofdemocracy #democraticenemies #competition #conflict

"Democracies today remain in a potent and protracted recession, and they have retreated from the ideological struggle against autocracy. We can renew the world’s democratic momentum through power, performance, and legitimacy. Democracies must generate economic prosperity and opportunity while containing corruption, crime, and abuses of power, to reinvigorate support for democracy across regions and generations. Liberal democracies cannot be weak or retreat; they must exert their power to safeguard free and fair elections, independent media, and the rule of law. Nowhere in the world where dictatorships repress rights, censor information, and propagate disinformation can democracy be secure. Every defense of democracy is a source of inspiration and instruction. We must get serious again about promoting the values, experiences, requirements, and institutions of democracy. And we must do so on the scale, with the scope and ease of access in many languages, required to save it." https://lnkd.in/dewJBK_d.

On this International Day of Democracy, let’s remember that our voices and actions can shape a brighter, more just future for everyone. Happy International Day of Democracy! #DemocracyDay #DemocracyForAll #VoiceMatters #DemocracyAndFreedom #StrengthInDemocracy #DemocracyNow #InclusiveDemocracy #GlobalDemocracy #ParticipateInDemocracy

Democracy has arguably become a more attractive and acceptable system of political organisation to many states of the world since the end of the Cold War. The prestige of the word democracy is so great that even the most transparent forms of despotism are compelled to use the term to sanctify their existence. Leadership, on the other hand, is a paradoxical phenomenon. It is admired but controversial, respected and often ridiculed, explained but uncertain, relevant, yet blamed by many. This seems to be particularly true when it is about political leadership. The source of democratic political power is primarily the people and secondarily, the legislature which is the representative body of the people. This crisis of political leadership goes a long way to explaining the crisis of democracy itself, hence the need for comprehensive research on whether democracy is a crisis or is facing a crisis. Glad to have my article posted in the Comrades Magazine September 2024 Edition. Have a read and I hope you enjoy. You can also access the magazine in this link https://lnkd.in/dhvQX6ay