The Evolution of Democracy in the 21st Century | 09 May 2025

Democracy in the 21st century is undergoing significant transformation, marked by both erosion and renewal. Many countries are witnessing democratic backsliding, where elected leaders undermine institutional checks and civil liberties while maintaining the façade of democratic rule. This includes weakening judicial independence, curbing media freedom, and suppressing public dissent. Populist leaders across regions have capitalized on public frustration, framing themselves as anti-elite figures and often centralizing power in the process. 

The digital age has further complicated democracy’s trajectory. On one hand, it has enabled greater political engagement and mobilization; on the other, it has amplified misinformation, polarization, and digital surveillance. These developments have challenged the integrity of democratic processes worldwide. 

Despite these setbacks, there are strong signs of democratic resilience. Youth-led movements, civic protests, and innovations in participatory governance are keeping democratic ideals alive. In countries across Africa and Latin America, local democratic experiments and reforms continue to inspire. 

This essay argues that democracy in the 21st century is being reshaped by the digital revolution, populist politics, and global backsliding—yet it also shows surprising resilience and innovation. In the South Asian context, particularly in India, democracy faces deep institutional and cultural challenges, even as citizens continue to engage with and redefine it in new ways. The evolution of democracy in this region provides critical insight into global trends. 

The Digital Revolution and Democracy 

Technology has radically redefined the democratic experience, making political information and participation more accessible than ever before. The digital revolution has given rise to new forms of engagement—from online petitions to hashtag movements—and reshaped election campaigns and policy discourse. 

In India, the scale and scope of digital political engagement are vast. The 2014 and 2019 general elections saw political parties, leverage social media and data analytics with unprecedented sophistication. WhatsApp groups, Twitter trends, and YouTube content have become essential tools for reaching voters. Digital platforms have also facilitated citizen mobilization on key issues, from the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare to recent farmers' protests. 

However, the same tools that amplify democratic voices can also undermine democratic discourse. In South Asia, the rise of misinformation, digital surveillance, and hate speech has deepened polarization. In India and Bangladesh, for instance, state and non-state actors have used troll armies and disinformation campaigns to delegitimize dissent and spread communal narratives. The control and monitoring of online spaces raise concerns about privacy and freedom of expression. 

Thus, while technology has expanded the democratic space, it has also created new challenges. The region’s experience reveals that digital platforms when weaponized, can distort public opinion, suppress dissent, and entrench power. 

Populism and the Challenge to Liberal Democracy 

“The grammar of anarchy begins when constitutional methods are ignored.”- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar 

The 21st century has seen the rise of populist leaders who claim to speak for “the people” against corrupt elites and institutions. Populism often exploits legitimate grievances—economic disparity, identity crises, or political stagnation—while simultaneously eroding democratic norms. 

India presents a compelling example of how populism interacts with democratic institutions. Various leaders have fused nationalism, religious identity, and economic promises to build a powerful popular mandate. Similar trends are observable in other South Asian countries, where leaders have framed their politics as a moral crusade against entrenched elites, often sidelining democratic procedures in the process. 

In countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal, populism has taken various forms, ranging from ethno-nationalist agendas to calls for direct rule, bypassing parliamentary mechanisms. While such leaders initially galvanize mass support, they often weaken checks and balances, concentrate executive power, and undermine judicial independence. 

Importantly, populism thrives within democracies—it is not inherently undemocratic. Yet, when leaders equate electoral victory with absolute legitimacy, the spirit of liberal democracy is hollowed out. South Asia’s experience shows how populist appeals can degrade democratic culture even when formal institutions remain intact. 

Global and Regional Democratic Backsliding 

Democratic backsliding—the gradual decline in the quality of democracy—has become a global concern. Across the world, countries are witnessing erosion in judicial independence, media freedom, and civil liberties. South Asia has not been immune. 

India, long regarded as the world’s largest democracy, has experienced several challenges that have raised concerns about the strength of its democratic institutions. Freedom House downgraded India from “free” to “partly free” in 2021, citing rising authoritarianism, internet shutdowns, and the suppression of dissent. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir have sparked global concern over majoritarian politics and human rights. Protest movements against these policies were met with arrests, internet blackouts, and allegations of sedition. 

In Pakistan, democracy exists in a hybrid form. Civilian governments operate under the shadow of a powerful military establishment. Allegations of rigging often mar elections, media censorship is rampant, and civil society faces sustained pressure. Bangladesh, too, has seen its democratic credentials questioned, particularly following controversial elections, opposition crackdowns, and the Digital Security Act, which curtails free expression. 

Nepal and Sri Lanka, despite holding elections, grapple with political instability, executive overreach, and weakened institutions. The Sri Lankan crisis of 2022, driven by economic collapse and governance failures, underscores how fragile democratic norms can be in the absence of accountability and transparency. 

These regional patterns reflect broader global trends, revealing how democracy can erode not through overt coups but through gradual institutional decay. 

Innovations and Democratic Resilience 

Despite the challenges, democracy is far from obsolete. Across South Asia, citizens and communities are reclaiming democratic agency through grassroots activism, judicial interventions, and institutional reforms. 

India’s judiciary, while facing criticism, has also acted as a bulwark at times—intervening in cases related to civil rights, environmental protection, and electoral integrity. Civil society organizations have mobilized on issues from gender justice to environmental protection, using both traditional and digital platforms to hold power to account. The anti-CAA protests, largely youth-led and decentralized, exemplify how dissent remains vibrant despite repression. 

In Nepal, the transition from monarchy to the federal democratic republic, though messy, represents a remarkable democratic experiment. Citizen engagement in constitution-making, despite ethnic tensions and political wrangling, shows the potential of participatory democracy in post-conflict societies. 

Deliberative and participatory innovations are emerging in local governance. In parts of India and Bangladesh, participatory budgeting, community monitoring of schools and health centers, and village-level planning reflect efforts to deepen democracy beyond elections. These initiatives, though scattered, hint at a future where democracy is more inclusive and responsive. 

Moreover, transnational youth movements—from climate activism to gender justice—are fostering a new democratic consciousness. South Asia’s young population is not just a demographic fact but a political force reshaping the contours of engagement. 

Conclusion 

Democracy is a living, contested process, determined by citizens' courage and creativity. Its evolution will be determined by leaders and institutions, but its evolution depends on citizen engagement, institutional accountability, and the capacity to adapt to global changes. Overall, democracy today is neither in decline nor triumph—it is in flux. Adaptability with the balance of rootedness in the democratic ethos is the key to strengthening democracy globally and nationally.