Democracy crisis, voter turnout, distrust institutions, populist leaders, fake news, social networks, political representation, extreme parties, direct democracy, illiberal politics
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Abstract
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Abstract
Western democracies face challenges such as low voter turnout and distrust of institutions, raising questions about solutions to revitalize democracy.
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[...] the mistrust towards them, the rise of extreme political parties. The growing abstention during the different elections is the result of this phenomenon as we see through the example of document 3. It shows the growing disinterest of the populations towards politics and public debate even though the people are the guarantors of the exercise of democracy. In conclusion, the discredit of democracy is a sign of social malaise that finds its roots in unkept promises by politicians or false information spread, particularly on social networks. [...]
[...] Thus, why do we talk about democracies in crisis? Citizens are increasingly having trouble recognizing themselves in democracy, either because they feel they are not being properly represented, or because their rights are too strictly regulated, such as the right to demonstrate, or because they no longer find themselves in the speeches of political representatives. Some claim freedoms and rights, sometimes legitimate, such as the case of the Yellow Vests, as shown in document 2. But sometimes, the demands are transgressive and irrational, and the public then turns to illiberal political personalities who seem to respond to their expectations, such as Donald Trump in the United States or Viktor Orbán in Hungary. [...]
