The Paradoxical Perception of Contemporary Democracy, and the Question of its Future

Abstract

This article explores the perception of democracy today, at the national and international levels. This perception is rather paradoxical. On the one hand, democracy is celebrated. As such it functions as a benchmark of political legitimacy. On the other hand, it is criticized. The article provides explanations for this state of affairs. Among the explanations put forward in order to account for the criticisms of democracy the article stresses the deepening of economic inequalities and a sense of social alienation that has been growing in recent years among the people that globalization and its associated policies are affecting negatively. For the way forward the article offers suggestions in order to improve the reputation and reality of democracy. In this regard it argues that the possibility to improve democracy, both at the national and international levels, is to a large extent based on making it more inclusive (especially economically speaking) and reflective.

Political Communication on Facebook

“…Surveys have shown the European citizen's growing scepticism towards politics: they express not only dissatisfaction with the democracies they live in (Alliance of Democracies, Rasmussen Global, & Dalia Research, 2018) but also little trust in political institutions (Ferrín-Pereira, 2012). Despite recognising the limitations and flaws of democracy, their expectations towards democratic institutions and their demands for accountability and greater political participation only increase (Coicaud, 2019).…”