Dr. Serhat ERDUR

St. Clements University UK

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2025.v4i6n05

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ABSTRACT

In the first quarter of the 21st century, it is observed that democratic institutions were weakened in many countries and authoritarian tendencies gained strength. This study analyzes the dynamics of the “Wave of Authoritarianism iyle by addressing the phenomenon of democratic decline in a theoretical and empirical framework. In the article, unlike classical authoritarianism, current concepts such as competitive authoritarianism, elective authoritarianism and populist authoritarianism are given. In addition, authoritarianization practices such as restricting media freedom, damage to judicial independence, and suppression of civil society are elaborated. The analysis, supported by global democracy indices and case examples from different geographies, examines the threats and resistance mechanisms faced by democratic regimes. As a result, democratic decline weakens not only political institutions, but also democratic culture and social solidarity; This reveals the necessity of new strategies in the name of democracy.

KEYWORDS:

Democratic decline, authoritarianization, competitive authoritarianism, populism, democracy indices, political institutions.

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VOlUME 04 ISSUE 06 JUNE 2025