Governance in Times of Democratic Regression: Polity and Policy

Democratic backsliding is observed in both new and old democracies worldwide. This phenomenon impacts not only political competition and civil liberties, but also the governance methods and the policies that nations develop and implement. Consequently, democratic backsliding affects both the polity and policy dimensions. This process is bidirectional: the decisions of illiberal governments lead to changes in public administration and policies, while these changes, in turn, influence the functioning of polyarchies. Ultimately, democracy's survival hinges on fundamental rights which are safeguarded by policies and are not solely dependent on the formal mechanisms of a democratic regime.