Conceptualising democratic and rule of law backsliding

Abstract

This panel addresses the conceptualization of democratic and rule of law backsliding in Europe, focusing on the critical factors that contribute to this trend and exploring strategies for mitigation and reversal. It integrates analyses of the multifaceted challenges facing democracies today, from the biases present in the assessment of democratic health to the deep-seated disagreements that undermine collective action within European institutions. How can clarity over democratic backsliding and the rule of law crisis conceptually help identify preventive measures necessary to safeguard against the gradual erosion of democratic norms and legal standards? By examining this question, the panel aims to shed light on the underlying processes of backsliding and the steps needed to defend the principles of democracy and the rule of law against contemporary threats undermining democratic integrity in Europe.

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