DEMOCRACIES LURCHING TOWARD AUTHORITARIANISM
DEMOCRACIES LURCHING TOWARD AUTHORITARIANISM

Summary/Abstract: This paper focuses on the trend of authoritarian populism and the decline of democracy around the globe, even in advanced democracies. Comparative analysis of authoritarian and liberal practices in the U.S. helps us to understand that no state is safe from the threats to democracy and the rise of authoritarianism. The paper will explore the state of political rights and civil liberties in North Macedonia from 2006 to 2017 under VMRO leadership which has been described as populist governance for various reasons: violating basic civil liberties and political rights, the impact on judicial independence, clientelism, and excluding the constitutional rule of checks and balances. The paper then provides an analysis of the last five years when democracy has partially improved under Social Democratic leadership from 2017 to 2022; takes a brief look at how democracy declined in America during the Trump years; and finally, proposes steps for how North Macedonia can continue the path of improving and protecting itself from the global trend toward authoritarianism.

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