"More
than 60 countries, with some 4 billion people, are set to stage
national elections in 2024. That means roughly half the planet could go
to the polls in what could be the greatest rolling spectacle of
democracy in human history. [snip]
"In society after society, illiberal values and politicians who embrace them are gaining ground. Numerous elected governments seem bent on undermining core tenets of the democratic project, from the freedom of the press to the independence of institutions such as the judiciary to the ability of opposition parties to fairly compete against the ruling establishment. [snip]
"The news this year could be more drastic still. The outcomes of pivotal
elections in the United States — the world’s oldest democracy — and
India — the world’s largest — may underscore a deepening public appetite
for norm-bending strongman rule. In their shadow, elections from Mexico
to the European Union to Bangladesh may each offer their own showcase
of the growing traction of nationalist, authoritarian politics. 'We’re
electing illiberal leaders democratically,” Maria Ressa, a prominent
journalist and Nobel laureate from the Philippines, said during an address to the National Press Club in Washington in September. 'We will know whether democracy lives or dies by the end of 2024.'”... -- Ishaan Tharoor, in the Washington Post, prefacing a quick look at global democracy on the ballot in 2024. In addition to the existential battle between the Malignant Loser's fascist MAGA movement and American democracy, Tharoor looks at upcoming elections in India, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Bangladesh, South Africa, Taiwan, Venezuela, and elsewhere where democracy is on the ballot (and not always in a strong position).
