Path to Power: 2024 - Democracy Disrupted?

2024 was a year of global democracy in which countries accounting for more than half the world’s population went to the polls. The Path to Power team used this opportunity to create a picture of global democracy through a comparison of elections in nine countries spanning the globe and a variety of political, social, cultural, and economic contexts. After conducting in-depth case studies, our country experts came together to articulate eight overall insights that crystallise the broad and interlocking processes underlying how democracies are changing in the era of disruptive technology.   We launch the first stage of this project on February 6th, 2025, with an event aimed at policymakers, stakeholders and civil society organisations.
 

Research insights

To bring these insights to a wider audience and nurture informed discussion on these crucial political and societal issues, we have produced an eight-part video series in which the team discusses the project insights and country case studies. We will publish one video weekly between our project launch at the beginning of February and the end of March. This information, and much more, can also be found in our executive summary report and country case study reports, available for download below.

Across all kinds of political, economic and social contexts, key parties and players within the election processes challenge liberal democratic institutions within the country. Read more.

Frustration with established institutions of political representation around the globe is leading to the formation of extra-institutional political movements and resulting in a trend towards expanding political and politicised violence. Read more.

Digital technologies allow political players to circumvent traditional media processes, including scrutiny, transparency, regulation, and censorship. Read more.

The algorithmic structures and political economies of dominant commercial platforms favour emotive, attention-grabbing content, leading to an information environment in which hyperpartisan and hyperemotive content is prevalent. Read more

As has been the case for a long time, digital technologies are often used in elections create the illusion of a silent majority, though its influence remains shaped by digital divides and levels of social media penetration. Read more

6. State-Platform Cooperation is Needed to Address Online Toxicity

In order to address online toxicity and it effects, there needs to be a cooperation between states and platforms around a shared democratic commitment.

Video explainer by the team to be published next week.

7. Action on Climate Change Has Been Sidelined

Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence, widespread public concern, and increasingly severe impacts, climate change continues to be sidelined and downplayed in political agendas.

8. Oligarchic Politics is Entrenched and Accelerating

Oligarchy is a system in which a small group of people control political power. These individuals consolidate their power within a narrow, interconnected ruling class, using the political power to craft a system that furthers their interests.

Country Reports