28 June 2026

A Democracy Safe for the World

Foreign Affairs  |  Sheri Berman

Democratic backsliding in the United States has accelerated "much faster" than "any other democracy in modern times" over the past year, according to the Varieties of Democracy think tank, driven by severe internal divisions, political dissatisfaction, and institutional dysfunction. This rapid deterioration reflects a broader global trend where concerns about democracy’s future have moved to the center of political debate over the past decade or two.

Many long-established democracies, once considered stable and secure, are now grappling with rising polarization, declining trust in political institutions, and governments appearing unable to respond effectively to the complex challenges confronting their nations. This widespread vulnerability underscores a critical period for democratic governance worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to understand and mitigate the systemic issues impacting advanced democratic nations.

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