Democracy Under Siege: Challenges and Paths to Renewal
Democracy has been idealized as the political system that guarantees equitable participation, social justice, and individual freedom. However, a critical and historical analysis reveals that its real practice often falls short of this ideal. This essay will explore how factors such as cancel culture, the Eurocentric critique of democracy, civil disobedience, the concentration of media power, and global phenomena like globalization and cosmopolitan democracy impact both the perception and functioning of contemporary democracies.
The Eurocentric Critique of Democracy
Democracy has traditionally been understood through a Eurocentric lens that prioritizes Western governance models, underestimating democratic practices present in other cultures. Benjamin Isakhan critiques this narrow perspective, pointing out that democratic practices have existed in non-Western civilizations, such as indigenous communities in the Americas or consultative systems in Africa and Asia. This Eurocentric approach has delegitimized other forms of political participation, consolidating a single model that is not always applicable in diverse cultural contexts.
This homogenized conception of democracy has facilitated the imposition of democratic systems in countries through military interventions, often with disastrous results.
Cancel Culture and Freedom of Expression
Traditionally, universities have served as spaces for debate and questioning, but they have also faced tensions arising from the so-called “cancel culture.” While cancel culture seeks to hold individuals and institutions accountable for perpetuating oppressive discourses, it has also sparked debates about academic freedom and the possibility of exploring unpopular ideas. Democracy, as a system, relies on the open exchange of ideas. However, in some contexts, cancel culture may limit this exchange by promoting self-censorship or excluding critical voices. This raises a paradox: how can inclusion and respect be guaranteed without restricting freedom of expression and open debate?
The Concentration of Media Power
Another significant challenge for contemporary democracies is the concentration of media power in the hands of a small number of actors, often a single person or corporation. This phenomenon undermines informational plurality and transforms the media into propaganda tools that shape public opinion to serve private interests. Democracies such as those in the United States or Brazil have experienced how media manipulation can polarize society, erode trust in institutions, and undermine electoral processes. The hegemonic narrative favors economic and political elites. This is dangerous in a globalized context, where interconnected information flows mean that a dominant narrative can influence multiple democracies. The case of Rupert Murdoch and his media conglomerate is an example of how media concentration threatens democratic plurality. Through his influence over outlets like Fox News and The Sun, Murdoch has shaped public opinion in key countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, promoting political agendas that polarize society. In fact, Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 elections is partially attributed to the support he received from Fox News.
Civil Disobedience as a Tool for Revitalization
In the face of these threats, civil disobedience has emerged as a powerful tool to revitalize democracy. Social movements such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s activism in the United States, Greta Thunberg’s climate change campaigns, and global feminist protests demonstrate how collective action can challenge unjust systems and redirect democracies toward their original ideals. Civil disobedience operates on the premise that, when institutions fail, citizens are justified in mobilizing to demand change. This type of action not only reconfigures political power but also expands the meaning of democracy by including historically marginalized actors in decision-making processes.
Cosmopolitan Democracy: A Path Forward?
Levitsky and Ziblatt, in How Democracies Die, warn that democracies rarely fall through coups but rather through the gradual erosion of institutions and norms. Extreme polarization, judicial manipulation, and populist rhetoric are factors that weaken democracy from within. In many cases, these phenomena are accompanied by citizen apathy, fueled by the perception that the system is incapable of addressing real needs. Revitalizing democracy requires not only protecting its institutions but also transforming its foundations. Cosmopolitan democracy, as proposed by David Held, offers a possible path to this revitalization. Globalization need not be a threat to democracy; it can be an opportunity to democratize international institutions. Held envisions a cosmopolitan democracy that integrates the voices of nations and individuals in global decision-making. For example, reforms in the United Nations or the establishment of global citizens’ assemblies could ensure that issues like climate change, human rights, and economic justice are addressed inclusively and transparently.