International Sources of Democratic Backsliding

Abstract

International support for democracy promotion grew substantially after the Cold War, with research overwhelmingly finding international actors are positive forces for democracy. However, this increased emphasis on democracy has been followed by rampant illiberalism and a sharp rise in cases of democratic backsliding in new democracies. What explains democratic backsliding in an age of unparalleled international support for democracy? In what ways has the international environment contributed to recent backsliding and illiberalism around the world? Democratic backsliding occurs when elected officials weaken or erode democratic institutions and results in an illiberal or diminished form of democracy. This chapter argues aspects of economic globalization have unintentionally contributed to backsliding. To develop this argument, the chapter focuses on one aspect of globalization in particular, international organizations (IOs), arguing that these institutions have unintentionally contributed to backsliding via three interrelated mechanisms: neglecting to support institutions outside elections and executives; increasing relative executive power; and limiting domestic policy options. However, these domestic-level impacts are not unique to IOs. After outlining the mechanisms linking IOs to backsliding in new democracies, this chapter discusses how these outcomes are relevant to other aspects of globalization, the implications for both new and mature democracies, and areas for future research.