Abstract

MEYER-RESENDE, Michael. Is Europe’s problem illiberal majoritarianism or creeping authoritarianism?. Relações Internacionais [online]. 2018, n.59, pp.65-73. ISSN 1645-9199.  https://doi.org/10.23906/ri2018.59a05.

The article argues that the current wave of democratic backlash will not result in illiberal democracies but, instead, in autocracies. Countries such as Poland or Hungary are building authoritarian regimes under the false premise of the will of the majority therefore, separating the liberal concept of checks and balances from majority will as two different concepts creates a false choice that, in reality, undermines democracy. This debate distracts us from what is an undemocratic trend and weakens the resolve to resist antidemocratic parties. The debate on illiberal democracy presents what is fundamentally a seizure of power by autocratic forces as a genuine ideological strife. The concept of democracy is certainly dynamic, but there are red lines that, when crossed, condemn countries to authoritarianism.

Keywords : Democratic backlash; majoritarianism; authoritarianism; Central and Eastern Europe.

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