The Paradox of 2024: Democracy in Form, Autocracy in Practice

In 2024, over 60 countries held national elections, encompassing nearly half of the world's population. If we adhere to Joseph Schumpeter’s minimalist definition of democracy—a system where leaders are chosen through competitive elections—we might conclude that democracy has been the norm in the majority of electoral processes worldwide over the past year. 

Yet, beneath this surface, troubling realities persist. According to the 2024 V-Dem Report, electoral autocracies now govern 44% of the world’s population—3.5 billion people. Additionally, 42 countries are currently undergoing autocratisation. Of these, 28 began as democracies at the start of their descent; today, only 15 remain democratic. Despite a year replete with elections, authoritarianism has tightened its global grip. The paradox here is stark: democracy appears to be eroding not from external threats but from within, as autocrats bend majoritarian democracy to their will. Leaders elected through democratic means are increasingly undermining democracy itself. 

The core of the problem lies in our understanding of democracy. Democracy is far more than elections. While the procedural aspects of voting are essential, they are insufficient. True democracy includes the liberal dimension: the guarantee of human rights, the rule of law, and checks on executive power. These are precisely the elements that autocrats bypass—and we let them. The difficulty lies in explaining to the public the importance of these seemingly ancillary facets of democracy in political liberalism, which have become increasingly unappealing to the masses. Concepts like checks and balances, minority rights, and judicial oversight—pillars of the liberal democratic tradition—are often perceived as abstract, elitist, or obstructive to decisive governance. 

To understand this erosion, we must delve into the inherent contradiction within liberal democracy itself. Democracy, rooted in the Greek concept of “demos” (the people), is fundamentally about equality and popular sovereignty. Liberalism, as conceived by thinkers like John Locke, emphasises the rule of law and the protection of individual freedoms and rights. Liberal democracy, therefore, is a hybrid construct that seeks to balance these two traditions. However, as Chantal Mouffe argues, these two often make uncomfortable bedfellows. The egalitarian aspirations of democracy often clash with the individualistic focus of liberalism, creating a fertile ground for autocrats to exploit. 

Take Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, is a cautionary example. In this year, Bukele was re-elected with over 80% of the vote, despite a constitutional ban on consecutive terms. Salvadoran society is dismantling any mechanisms that could check executive power, as Bukele unabashedly styles himself as the “world’s coolest dictator.” Bukele, Trump, and Modi embody Alexis de Tocqueville's warning about the "tyranny of the majority"—a democracy that abandons liberal principles in favour of populist rule. Radical right parties in Europe are often criticised as a threat to democracy. However, the truth is that they operate within democratic frameworks, respecting the rules of the game. What they truly challenge are the liberal aspects of democracy, such as constitutional checks and balances and minority rights, which is a different, but equally troubling, issue. 

Personalistic leaders resonate deeply with voters, fostering emotional connections that traditional parties struggle to match. This trend has continued into 2024, even in nations with strong parliamentary systems and deep party traditions. Whether it's Macron's popularity undermining his own party in France, or the emergence of a party in Germany named after its leader, Sara Wagenknecht, the influence of individual leaders is undeniable. In Asia, while Modi’s dominance is expected, Japan—where candidates in the upcoming LDP election are grappling with the legacy of the late Abe Shinzo—also reflects this shift. In Latin America, a region with a history of political personality cults, this trend has intensified, as seen with Ecuador's president, who, despite violating the Geneva Convention on asylum, has gone from strength to strength. Everywhere you look, leaders are increasingly overshadowing their parties. 

The allure of “strong leaders” and “cool dictators” has become a defining feature of 2024. The Latinobarómetro survey confirms a troubling trend: many citizens prefer leaders who “get things done”—even if that means breaking the rules. Liberal democracy’s checks, balances, and minority protections are difficult to sustain and explain, particularly when they are seen as obstacles to swift, decisive action. 

In 2024, the erosion of democracy is not just a tale of autocrats and populists; it’s a reflection of a deeper failure to sustain the indispensable liberal side of democracy. If we are to reverse this trend, we must reclaim the idea of democracy as more than elections and sovereignty. Authentic democracy guarantees human rights, respects the rule of law, and values pluralism. Without these, we risk descending into a world where democracy survives in form but not in substance.

Image: Flickr/Trump White House (Shealah Craighead).

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