Can Liberal Democracy Meet the New Challenges It Faces?

Can Liberal Democracy Meet the New Challenges It Faces?
A protester holds a sign mocking Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during an anti-government march in central Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 21, 2018 (AP photo by Marko Drobnjakovic).

Around the world, political debates are increasingly being shaped around social and cultural issues rather than questions of policy. The result is a hardening of national discourses in many countries, as well as a shrinking of the space required for compromise. Meanwhile, a new generation of populist leaders is increasingly willing to not only flout democratic norms, but also to use traditional tools of democratic governance to consolidate and expand their own power. In this week’s editors’ discussion episode of the Trend Lines podcast, WPR’s editor-in-chief, Judah Grunstein; managing editor, Frederick Deknatel; and associate editor, Elliot Waldman, discuss the emerging threats to liberal democracy and its ability to meet the challenges they present.

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Relevant Articles on WPR:
What If Liberal Democracy Can’t Resolve Today’s Political Standoffs?
The Liberal World Order Is Dying. What Comes Next?
The Struggle for Poland’s Future Is Playing Out on the Battlefield of History
The Populist Wave Will Continue

Trend Lines is produced and edited by Peter Dörrie, a freelance journalist and analyst focusing on security and resource politics in Africa. You can follow him on Twitter at @peterdoerrie.

To send feedback or questions, email us at podcast@worldpoliticsreview.com.

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