We see the challenges to our democracy in our daily news. There are cases of national leaders attempting to retain power beyond constitutional limits, attacks on human rights, and the rollback of civil liberties and freedom of the press. International IDEA is concerned about the rise of challenges to democracy. Our role—every citizen’s role—is to protect democracy.

That democracy is challenged, or its scope narrowed, is not a new phenomenon. Each modern era has brought challenges to the democratic order of its time. These challenges have reformed, reviewed and revitalised democracy. As we tackle the challenges of our time, we must remember that history teaches us that democracy is resilient. But we must also remember that democracy is only as strong as the commitment and courage of those who stand up against any attempts to put aside democratic principles and practises.

We see the challenges to our democracy in our daily news. There are cases with national leaders attempting to retain power beyond constitutional limits, attacks on human rights, rollback of civil liberties and freedom of the press, increasing polarization of society, and rise of populism. The report shows that democracy is not in decline, but International IDEA is concerned about the rise of challenges with which it is confronted. Our role — every citizen’s role — is to protect democracy.

We see the challenges to our democracy in our daily news. There are cases of national leaders attempting to retain power beyond constitutional limits, attacks on human rights, the rollback of civil liberties and freedom of the press, and the rise of populism. International IDEA is concerned about the rise of challenges to democracy. Our role—every citizen’s role—is to protect democracy.

The ability of individual citizens, civil society organizations, political parties, electoral management bodies, and others to defend democratic ideals depends on a thorough understanding of the state of democracy. The findings and messages of this report are therefore a fundamental contribution to the empowerment of citizens on which the survival of democracy depends.