As global democratic decline accelerates, Asia increasingly reflects both the fragility and diversity of contemporary democratic experiences. The region encompasses a wide spectrum of regime types—from liberal democracies to electoral autocracies—with many countries occupying a contested “grey zone” between democratic and authoritarian rule. Recent years have witnessed significant democratic backsliding, including growing pressures on freedom of expression, association, political participation, and electoral integrity. At the same time, the democracy–autocracy divide has become an important dimension of geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.
This general track invites panel and paper proposals that critically examine the varieties of democracy in Asia and the regional dynamics shaping governance, development, and security. Contributions may explore the drivers of autocratization, the resilience of democratic institutions and practices, and the role of civil society and political actors in resisting democratic erosion. The track also welcomes analyses of alternative or distinctly Asian pathways to democracy, taking into account historical, cultural, and institutional contexts that differentiate the region from dominant Western models.
Both theoretical and empirical contributions, including comparative and country-specific studies, are encouraged. The track aims to foster dialogue on the future of democracy in Asia and the prospects for democratic renewal amid ongoing regional transformations.
