The term “democratic backsliding” refers to erosion of democracy as a result of the degradation of a state’s political institutions which sustain that democracy, orchestrated by democratically elected leaders. This process, also known as autocratization, began in the post-Cold War era and has been picking up momentum ever since. “Civil society groups have documented 15 consecutive years of global decline in democracy,” said Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya during a recent telephonic press conference. “So, what does a democracy recession mean in practice?”
“One: Autocratic rules have obstructed elections that would have expressed the will of the people, undermined the independence of legislatures and judiciaries, and violated the human rights and fundamental freedoms of their populations. Two: Corrupt actors have unduly restricted access to information. This used public funding and eroded public confidence that democratic governance can bring a better future. And finally, even well-established democracies like the United States face challenges such as political polarization, the spread of disinformation, discrimination, and racial injustice.”
“And yet, we know that societies which respect and defend human rights, uphold the rule of law, and support inclusive, accountable governance for all their citizens are best equipped to produce durable solutions to even the most difficult problems,” she said.
Quoting Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Under Secretary Zeya noted that “Responsible nations must not shrink from scrutiny of their human rights record. Rather, they should acknowledge it with the intent to improve.” And that is why civil society monitoring is invaluable.
“Civil society plays a key watchdog and advocacy role in our democracies. It’s essential to promoting government accountability,” said Under Secretary Zeya.
“Activists, advocates, and other members of civil society are essential to transparent, equitable, and responsive governance. Partnering with civil society is critical to achieve summit goals as we turn to local leaders and experts to help ensure that government pledges positively impact citizens.”
Democratic backsliding “presents huge challenges to global stability and prosperity that can only be solved collectively, with likeminded democracies coming together to reverse this decline.”
The United States invites all like-minded friends and allies to help reverse the trend in democratic backsliding by joining us in defending against authoritarianism; fighting corruption; and advancing respect for human rights domestically and internationally. This week’s Summit for Democracy will be a step forward for the world on that journey.
