Authoritarian and populist tendencies accompanied by the dismantling of the rule of law represent – though to a considerably varying degree – a fundamental challenge unprece- dented in the EU’s history. Overall, they fundamentally present a threat to democracy in many member states. Liberal democracy, based on deliberative political debates aimed at reaching consensus that protects individual and minority rights, faces a threat especially from the rise of the far right. This ultimately stems from an increase in nationalism and xenophobia. However, threats to democracy are not limited only to the ascendancy of the radical right.
The report presents three case studies on different fields. The first part is focused on algorithm-driven polarization and misinformation, as social media has become a structural threat to democratic stability. Steve Stillman points out the creation of ideological silos fueled by digital populism and the rise of media moguls as political actors not only on the European political scene.
The second part of the report is a case study on Spanish political scene, concerning polarization’s impact on the rule of law and corruption perception. In Spain corruption became a partisan weapon shifting political opponents to existential threats. The accelerator of polarization in Spain is far-right VOX party. Guillem Ripoll shows the process of normalization of the usage of corruption as a political warfare.
The last part of the report includes insights on the rise of “national conservative left” with authoritarian tendencies. Tomaš Stražay describes the new conservative left ideology in Europe and its struggles to be institutionalized on the European level due to fragmentation and inefficient support. The profile of the new ideology includes two key features: left-wing economy and conservative culture and it’s highly anti-liberal and anti-multicultural. The report pictures three potential ways of the development of the new ideology.
In conclusion, democratic erosion in Europe in no longer connected only to the far-right. Factors as polarization, technology and ideological hybrids undermine rule of law, thrust in the institutions and shared vales. Read the whole text of the report here: More than the far right
The report was edited by Adam Balcer.
Co-financed by the National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development in the framework of the Civil Society Organisations Development Programme for 2018-2030 CSODev
