As democratic institutions come under increasing pressure, the book asks a timely and pressing question: why are citizens across the globe becoming more dissatisfied with democracy, and what does this mean for the future of democratic governance? Drawing on a wide range of empirical cases from both Western and non-Western countries, the volume provides a comparative perspective on how democratic dissatisfaction manifests across different political and cultural contexts.
The book explores key drivers of this phenomenon, including political polarization, the rise of populism, and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. Rather than treating democratic dissatisfaction as a uniform trend, the authors examine how these forces operate differently depending on national histories, institutional arrangements, and levels of democratic consolidation.
By unpacking both the causes and consequences of democratic discontent, Democracy Under Scrutiny contributes to broader debates on democratic resilience, legitimacy, and reform. The volume offers valuable insights for scholars, students, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the health and future of democratic systems.