Autocracy is rising in the west. But the global south proves it's not inevitable | Kenneth Roth

"Yet a closer analysis shows that autocrats are often running scared of their people. And surprisingly, democracy these days seems sometimes to be held in higher esteem in the global south than in the democratic heartland of the west. These trends show there is nothing inevitable about autocracy's rise that the defenders of democracy are on the right side of history and should keep fighting."

"In the west, a disturbing number of people have begun to support politicians who disdain democracy. These people are often members of a country's ethnic majority working class who are struggling, facing economic stagnation amid growing inequality. They feel that government officials do not serve, listen to or respect them. Out of frustration, they increasingly embrace the anti-democratic far right."

"To recapture these alienated voters, pro-democracy parties must do a better job of making them feel genuinely heard and respected of showing a real commitment to serving their interests. That will probably require rejecting limitless free trade and globalization, better delivering social services, and meaningfully addressing the problem of affordability."

Despite concerns about autocracy's rise and far-right movements in Europe and the United States, analysis reveals autocrats are increasingly vulnerable to their own populations. Democracy maintains stronger support in the global south than commonly assumed. Western democracies face challenges from economically struggling majority-working-class voters who feel unheard by governing elites. These voters increasingly support far-right politicians offering scapegoating and anti-establishment rhetoric, despite policies harming their interests. To counter this trend, pro-democracy parties must demonstrate genuine commitment to serving alienated voters through economic policies addressing inequality, improved social services, and inclusive rhetoric that appeals to broader populations rather than narrow interest groups.

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