dem backsliding 3
Factor 4: Social Media, Technology, and Democratic Backsliding
Role of Technology in Democracy
Polarization and Populism: New technologies, particularly social media, contribute to polarization and the rise of populist platforms in various countries.
Mixed Evidence on Correlation:
Despite these contributions, data shows no clear correlation between social media use and democratic backsliding.
Examples of stable democracies, such as those in Scandinavia and Western Europe, utilize social media extensively without showing backsliding tendencies.
Conclusion on Technology's Impact:
Technology serves as a facilitating factor in certain contexts, but it is not a core explanation for global democratic recession.
Factor 5: External Influence - Russia and China
Involvement of Russia and China:
Both nations actively engage in political projects that undermine democracy worldwide.
Examples:
Russian election interference in the United States.
Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
China's soft power initiatives across Africa and beyond.
Shortcomings of External Factors as Sole Explanation:
As a comparativist perspective suggests, foreign interventions like those from Russia and China are important but not the primary explanations for democratic backsliding.
Countries facing backsliding, such as India, exhibit domestic factors as central influencers.
Domestic Factors in Democratic Backsliding
Key Domestic Influencers:
Socio-economic dynamics: Extending gaps between wealthy and less privileged populations.
Shifts in social media usage patterns.
Rise of populism and polarization.
Declining state capacity in certain democracies.
Central Idea from Carruthers and Press:
Domestic political actors play a crucial role in enabling democratic backsliding.
Responsibility for the erosion of democracy often lies with local political figures engaged in power consolidation for personal gain.
Mechanisms of Democratic Backsliding
Three Mechanisms Identified:
Grievance-Fueled Illiberal Campaigns:
Politicians articulate and politicize grievances, motivating voter mobilization.
Nature of Grievances:
Some grievances are longstanding (e.g., economic inequality, corruption) while others can be historically taboo (e.g., race and rights issues).
Politicians break taboos and normalize the discussion of certain grievances, transforming them into mainstream political narratives.
Example:
In India, Prime Minister Modi's promotion of Hindu nationalism, redefining what it means to be an Indian citizen.
Opportunistic Authoritarianism:
Politicians elected on moderate platforms gradually expand their power base once in office.
These leaders do not necessarily enter office with dictatorial intentions; however, they may dismantle democratic safeguards for personal or political gain.
Case Study:
Alberto Fujimori in Peru exemplifies a political figure whose intent shifted post-election towards authoritarianism.
Protectionism by Entitled Elites:
Longstanding institutions or elite groups may attempt to protect their status during democratization processes that threaten their power.
Commonly observed in militaries, which may operate behind the scenes to safeguard executive power during democratization.
This dynamic can apply to various entrenched groups perceiving democratization as a threat to their existence and power status.