Rising levels of violent crime in certain regions lead to support for leaders espousing strict measures. In contrast, in regions like North America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia, political polarization is increasing, with low trust in mainstream political parties. Dissatisfaction with democratic institutions results from their unresponsiveness, even in well-performing democracies. This dissatisfaction does not lead to apathy in political participation, particularly evident in the US, which boasts one of the highest levels of political engagement globally.