State of the world 2019: autocratization surges – resistance grows

Abstract

This article analyses the state of democracy in the world in 2019. We demonstrate that the "third wave of autocratization" is accelerating and deepening. The dramatic loss of eight democracies in the last year sets a new record in the rate of breakdowns. Exemplifying this crisis is Hungary, now the EU's first ever authoritarian member state. Governmental assaults on civil society, freedom of expression, and the media are proliferating and becoming more severe. A new and disturbing trend is that the quality of elections is now also deteriorating in many countries. Nevertheless, there are also positive signs: pro-democracy protests reached an all-time high in 2019. People are taking to the streets to protest the erosion of democracies and challenge dictators. Popular protests have contributed to substantial democratization in 22 countries over the last ten yearsincluding Armenia, Tunisia, and Ecuador. This was before the Covid-19 pandemic. Responses to the crisis, including many states of emergencies, risk further accelerating autocratization.

Worth the Sacrifice? Illiberal and Authoritarian Practices during Covid-19

“…Autocratization -meaning any substantial decline of democratic regime traits ) -has become a prevalent concept in the literature on political regimes. It is an umbrella term covering backsliding in democracies as well as democratic breakdown and autocratic regression (Maerz et al, 2020). Recent studies illustrate that during the current "third wave of autocratization" the process of democratic deterioration happens much more gradually than during earlier waves of reversal and typically involves restrictions of media freedoms and civil society as first steps towards more authoritarian ways of ruling (Maerz et al, 2020).…”

“…It is an umbrella term covering backsliding in democracies as well as democratic breakdown and autocratic regression (Maerz et al, 2020). Recent studies illustrate that during the current "third wave of autocratization" the process of democratic deterioration happens much more gradually than during earlier waves of reversal and typically involves restrictions of media freedoms and civil society as first steps towards more authoritarian ways of ruling (Maerz et al, 2020). However, the literature remains equivocal about when and where crises -such as the fulminating Covid-19 pandemic -will accelerate autocratization.…”

“…Observing such violations of democratic standards during crises is crucial since they can be early-warning signs of a looming and ongoing trend of autocratization. This is especially true for those as-pects of democracy that typically deteriorate first, such as media freedoms (Maerz et al, 2020) or the tone and accountability of official communication (Maerz and Schneider, 2019;Schedler, 2019). As a result, we still know very little about how such violations vary across countries and regime types.…”

“…Violations of democratic standards by several governments -such as excessive use of emergency powers and limitations of media freedoms -have raised concerns that the Covid-19 pandemic could "infect" democracy itself. This potential for pandemic backsliding is particularly worrisome in light of the current global trend toward autocratization Maerz et al, 2020). Yet, those who violate democratic standards of emergency measures often do so by invoking protection of human life, suggesting that during crises, normative preferences for life should outweigh democratic principles.…”

COVID-19 and shrinking civic spaces: patterns and consequences

“…Overall, these persisting changes to the legal order further contribute to the gradual process of autocratization that Hungary has been experiencing since 2010 (Maerz et al. 2020 , p. 7–8).…”