New Books in Political Science Democratic Dialogues: Pathways of Democratic Backsliding, Resistance, and (Partial) Recoveries
Oct 28, 2025
Kenneth Roberts, a comparative politics scholar, discusses the nuances of democratic backsliding and the importance of institutional and societal resistance. Jennifer McCoy explores pernicious polarization and the necessity of coalition-building for effective democratic defense. Murat Somer outlines distinct pathways of backsliding, such as legislative capture and executive aggrandizement, underlining the need for tailored resistance strategies. Together, they emphasize the significance of awareness and community rebuilding to strengthen democracy in the face of challenges.
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Backsliding Is Gradual And Recoveries Are Fragile
- Democratic backsliding can be gradual, fragile, and partial rather than sudden collapse.
- Recoveries are possible but often tentative and incomplete, requiring sustained effort.
Institutions Need Society To Resist
- Institutional resistance and societal mobilization reinforce each other in stopping backsliding.
- Courts and legislatures resist more when civil society and social actors push back.
Match Strategy To The Backsliding Pathway
- Tailor resistance strategies to the specific pathway of backsliding a country faces.
- Use institutions quickly against rapid executive grabs and electoral coalitions against legislative capture.