Mechanisms of Democratic backsliding and Re-authorisation of former post-socialist regimes in Southeast and Central Europe I

Abstract

In recent years regimes in Southeast and Central Europe have experienced a weakening of democratic institutions and the rise of populist movements, rejecting liberal the values of democracy. The principle of the rule of law – an underlying condition of a consolidated democracy -- and the term of liberal democracy were re-interpreted by regimes, not willing to comply with the generally accepted meanings of these terms. Once these populist leaders were able to get into government the democratic institutional framework was transformed to support the governance strategies, which are built on a strong parliamentary majority and a dominating political leader. Especially the former post-socialist countries in Central Europe, once forerunners of democratisation and role models for other countries have experienced a weakening of democratic structures and the curtailing of liberal and civil freedoms. How can these changes be explained, analysed and assessed? Is democratic backsliding in these countries a normal contemporary occurrence, whereby democracies experience a set-back to later re-emerge as a more resilient version? Or is the current situation a one-way street leading the democracies back into illiberal or even autocratic regimes? How do populist leaders initiate these political transformations, what mechanisms and strategies are used and how does it impact on the political system? Democratic backsliding is a broad concept and used to describe a number of developments and features related to changes in institutions and processes within democratic systems. However, the term requires a workable and more stringent definition. For this panel we suggest to focus on institutional, legal or procedural changes in the democratic systems, which support the populist governments and weaken the ability of state institutions to respond adequately to the incremental changes affecting the democratic framework. Based on a more stringent definition, a clear inventory and categorisation of the phenomena associated with democratic backsliding can be made and it can be clearly distinguished from temporary fluctuations in the quality of democracy. This panel will address the mechanisms of democratic backsliding and will identify how illiberal and/or autocratic regimes are using state institutions to undermine democracy. The various case studies will shed light on the similarities and specificities of democratic backsliding and the relevant contexts it takes place. This comparative perspective should also make it possible to work out and evaluate possible counter-strategies to democratic backsliding.

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