BEYOND LIBERALISM? THE ASCENDANCE OF ILLIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND THE FUTURE OF POLITICAL NORMS

Abstract

This paper interrogates the concept of illiberal democracy as an emergent political phenomenon that challenges the normative ascendancy of liberal democratic models. While liberal democracy is grounded in pluralism, constitutionalism, and the protection of individual rights, recent global and regional developments reveal a discernible erosion of these foundational values. Drawing from historical, philosophical, and comparative perspectives, the study explores the contradictions inherent in liberal democracy and the conditions that enable its drift toward illiberalism. It examines how institutional decay, populism, weak rule of law, and the manipulation of electoral processes foster governance structures that retain democratic procedures but hollow out substantive freedoms. By situating illiberal democracy within contemporary political discourse, the paper highlights its implications for governance, human rights, and international order, particularly in fragile democracies. The authors argue that the rise of illiberalism does not merely represent a deviation from democratic norms but signals the possibility of a post-liberal paradigm in global politics. The study concludes that addressing the crises of legitimacy, representation, and accountability is essential to reversing democratic backsliding and ensuring the resilience of democratic institutions.