New Books Network Jonathan Sumption, "The Challenges of Democracy: And the Rule of Law" (Profile Books, 2026)
Dec 26, 2025
Jonathan Sumption, a former UK Supreme Court Justice and historian, delves into the current crisis of democracy across the globe. He discusses how Brexit and shifting public sentiments have weakened democratic faith in the UK. Notably, he highlights the suppression of pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong and critiques the limitations of judge-made law in political contexts. Sumption also warns about the vulnerabilities of presidential systems and stresses the importance of freedom of speech, drawing on principles from Aristotle and John Stuart Mill.
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Democracy's Inherent Fragility
- Democracy is fragile because it is a relatively new form of government limited to certain regions until recently.
- Shifts in public sentiment can quickly erode democratic legitimacy if institutions fail to adapt.
Climate Change Challenges Democratic Limits
- Climate change becomes a democratic crisis because solutions require international coordination beyond national electoral accountability.
- Politicians may exploit short-term incentives by denying or delaying action, undermining long-term democratic responses.
Brexit Broke Traditional Party Coalitions
- Brexit fractured the UK Conservative Party by splitting its liberal wing and disappointed Leave supporters.
- First-past-the-post and narrow party policy ranges force voters to pick the least bad option, weakening party systems.