The Antidemocratic Drift in the Early 21st Century: Some Thoughts on its Roots, Dynamics and Prospects
The Antidemocratic Drift in the Early 21st Century: Some Thoughts on its Roots, Dynamics and Prospects
Author(s): Marek DabrowskiSubject(s): Economy
Published by: Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze - Fakulta podnikohospodářská
Keywords: market economy; democracy; economic freedom; political freedom; autocracy; post-communist transition; ICT revolution
Summary/Abstract: In the first two decades of the 21st century, the previous democratization progress was partly reversed. It is well seen in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe but also in other geographic regions. In search for causes of this warning trend, many authors point out economic factors such as economic stagnation, unemployment, inequality, consequences of the global financial crisis of 2007-2009 and side-effects of globalization. Not negating the role of economic factors, it is important, however, to see noneconomic determinants such as immature political institutions and their dysfunctionality, nationalism and cultural prejudices, and side-effects of the ICT revolution, which destroyed traditional media and public debate. The antidemocratic drift is dangerous not only for political and civil freedom but also has a negative impact on economic governance, making economies less open and competitive and easy victims of oligarchic predation (‘crony’ capitalism).
Journal: Central European Business Review
- Issue Year: 10/2021
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 63-83
- Page Count: 21
- Language: English