Dr, Muahammad Akram Zaheer
In 2021, before her death,Madeleine Albright expressed the expectations about democracy and contrasts with the sobering reality that has unfolded over the past four years. She explained why the anticipated resurgence has not occurred, how authoritarian states have adapted; how the United States has shifted away from its long-standing support for democratic causes and why democratic, ideals nonetheless remain alive in many societies despite mounting pressures.Madeleine Albright argued that authoritarianism was inherently weak because it relied on coercion rather than genuine public legitimacy. She believed that democratic idealsrooted in dignity, accountability, and autonomy remained powerful forces around the world. For her, the growing political activism of youth, the durability of civil society, and the universal desire for fairness pointed toward a coming democratic renewal. Her essay predicted that dissatisfaction with aging dictatorships would lead to openings for democratic change, particularly if the United States continued to support pro-democracy movements.
However, four years later, events have not supported this optimistic vision. Instead of an international revival, democracy has retreated in many regions. Protest movements that once seemed promising have been crushed. Governments with authoritarian tendencies have strengthened their grip, often using legal frameworks and digital tools to justify repressive measures. A particularly significant change has occurred in the United States itself. The second Trump administration has withdrawn funding from programs that traditionally supported democratic causes abroad and reduced the government’s readiness to defend democratic norms at home. According to Albright’s earlier warnings, this shift in U.S. policy encourages authoritarian governments, weakens global democratic networks, and reduces America’s influence as a moral and political leader.Examples from Iran and Cuba illustrate how authoritarian fragility does not necessarily lead to democratic change. In Iran, widespread protests following the death of MahsaAmini in 2022 briefly suggested that long-standing grievances could erupt into real political transformation. Yet the government suppressed the movement through mass arrests, executions, and strict control of communication. In Cuba, historic protests in 2021 raised hopes that economic hardship and political frustration might force change. Once again, the state responded with intimidation, surveillance, and imprisonment, successfully silencing dissent. These cases demonstrate that even unpopular authoritarian regimes can survive by adapting their methods of control, especially in the absence of strong external pressure.
The text also argues that the United States once played a critical role in supporting democratic activists in such situations. Through diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions, civil society funding, and international broadcasting, Washington helped dissidents raise their voices and protected them from isolation. However, current U.S. policy has dismantled many of these tools. Institutions such as USAID, Radio Free Europe, and numerous democracy-related programs have lost funding. Thousands of initiatives that previously trained journalists, supported election monitoring, or strengthened civil society organizations have been reduced or shut down. As a result, protest movements facing repression now have fewer resources and less visibility.Meanwhile, China and Russia, the world’s leading authoritarian powers, have not offered appealing alternative models. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine discredited any notion that strongman governance brings stability or responsible leadership. China, once admired for rapid economic growth and efficient administration, now faces slowing economic performance, stricter political controls, and growing skepticism about its intentions in developing countries. In many regions, China is increasingly seen as a creditor that encourages dependency rather than a partner that supports long-term development. Yet because the United States is retreating from the democratic sphere, China has found more space to present itself as a reliable, non-interfering provider of investment and political support for governments that do not wish to face democratic accountability.
Although authoritarian models appear unattractive, democracy has not advanced because its institutional foundations have weakened in many places. Yet public support for democracy remains strikingly strong. Surveys from multiple regions show that majorities continue to prefer accountable government over authoritarian rule. Even in countries experiencing political setbacks or military coups, citizens consistently express support for fair elections, independent courts, and term limits. This demonstrates that democratic ideals continue to resonate, even when democratic institutions are failing.Across the world, civic resistance movements reveal this continuing commitment. In Georgia, large crowds have challenged flawed elections and a controversial law targeting nongovernmental organizations. In Israel, massive demonstrations in 2023 defended judicial independence. In Myanmar, despite extreme repression, activists continue to resist military rule at enormous personal cost. In Tunisia, where democracy flourished for a decade after the Arab Spring but has since been dismantled by President Kais Saied, citizens continue to challenge the erosion of rights. In Belarus, opposition leaders remain imprisoned or exiled, but protests and international campaigns persist.
Albright believed strongly in the potential of youth movements. Young people, she argued, were more globally connected, more educated, and more determined to demand accountability than previous generations. Their willingness to challenge long-standing hierarchies appeared to offer a new force for democratic change. Yet in practice, youthful idealism has often collided with entrenched power structures. In many authoritarian or semi-authoritarian states, young activists face digital surveillance, online harassment, and imprisonment. In some countries with declining democratic institutions, such as Tunisia and Turkey, many young people have responded not by organizing politically but by emigrating. This trend reflects a crisis of confidence: young citizens expect more from their governments, yet see fewer opportunities to shape political outcomes.The text emphasizes that democracy requires more than public support it needs strong institutions capable of enforcing accountability. Independent courts, legislatures, media organizations, and election commissions form the infrastructure that sustains democratic systems. These institutions, together with global networks of assistance, have historically helped democracies build resilience. Organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy, the European Union, and others have long contributed to training election observers, supporting journalism, and encouraging reform. Their efforts have helped secure important victories, such as Poland’s 2023 opposition win and Tunisia’s decade of democratic experimentation.Nonetheless, successes are increasingly rare. Freedom House reports that nearly 60 countries experienced democratic decline in 2024 alone. Examples include the dissolution of opposition parties, the removal of term limits, and the passage of laws designed to silence civil society organizations. Meanwhile, the reduction in U.S. support for democratic initiatives has strained the international system that once helped movements survive repression.
Albright’s central insight: that the human desire for freedom, dignity, and accountability continues to exist even when democracy is under strain. The challenge lies not in the disappearance of these ideals but in the weakening of the structures and alliances needed to help them flourish. Albright argued that democracies must work together to support one another, counter authoritarian influence, and preserve the institutions that uphold democratic life. The future of democracy depends not only on public aspiration but also on coordinated leadership and sustained investment in democratic infrastructure.
