Democracy is dead — long live democracy |
Democracy is dead—long live democracy is a modern adaptation of the monarchist proclamation, “The king is dead, long live the king.”
It is used to highlight the failure of existing democratic systems while affirming belief in the ideal, principle and potential of democracy as a form of governance. The phrase reflects the tension between the perceived decline of traditional democratic institutions and the enduring ideal of self-governance. It underscores the severe threats posed by the “Deep State” alongside opportunities for reinvention and reform. Experts widely agree that rising autocracies endanger democratic processes, noting that democracy is in global decline but not destined for an “irrevocable fate.” The future depends on whether societies can adopt robust regulatory and governance mechanisms and reinvent democratic participation for the public good.
In the present day democracies, nearly all undemocratic regimes hold some kind of elections. Such exercises are often dismissed as transparent attempts to garner legitimacy and build a democratic veneer for authoritarian rule. But might these elections, imperfect as they are, actually further the cause of democracy? Many scholars are now arguing that they can, at least under some circumstances. The title of a 2009 book edited by Staffan Lindberg sums it up neatly: Democratization by Elections: A New Mode of Transition. And a new paper by Daniela Donno evaluates the conditions in which authoritarian elections can lead to more democracy. Flawed elections are also a........