Latest News
The world currently has been in the throes of a twin process of ‘democratic backsliding’ and ‘democratic backlash’. How would you explain this paradox? (20) (UPSC CSE Mains 2025- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
Democratic backsliding and democratic backlash represent opposing yet interconnected forces in contemporary global politics, creating a paradox where erosion of democratic norms coincides with vigorous public resistance.
Democratic Backsliding
- Refers to the gradual erosion of democratic institutions, norms, and practices.
- Common drivers: rise of populist leaders, weakening of checks and balances, curbs on media freedom, judicial capture, and manipulation of elections.
- Examples: Hungary, Turkey, and even challenges in established democracies like the U.S.
Democratic Backlash
- Refers to popular resistance and mobilization against authoritarian drift.
- Citizens, civil society groups, and international actors push back to defend rights, freedoms, and democratic institutions.
- Examples: mass protests in Poland against judicial reforms, youth-led movements in Hong Kong, and civic activism in Latin America.
Paradox:
- Backsliding and backlash are two sides of the same coin.
- As ruling elites undermine democracy, they inadvertently activate democratic consciousness among citizens.
- This creates a cycle: erosion → resistance → partial restoration or further contestation.
Illustrations
India
- Increasing centralization of power under the ruling party.
- Restrictions on civil society and opaque political financing.
- Farmers’ protests against government policies became one of the largest mobilizations in recent history.
- Supreme Court rulings mandating transparency in campaign finance show institutional pushback.
- Backsliding:
- Backlash:
United States
- During the Trump presidency, democratic norms were strained: attacks on media, politicization of institutions, and attempts to undermine electoral integrity.
- Backsliding:
- Backlash:
- Mass protests defending democracy and rights, such as rallies against voter suppression and judicial overreach.
- Civil society organizations mobilized to protect voting rights and resist authoritarian tendencies.
The twin processes coexist because backsliding triggers backlash, yet resistance often provokes harsher crackdowns, forming cycles of erosion and renewal. The paradox is clear: erosion of democracy awakens democratic consciousness. Backsliding is often legalistic and incremental, but backlash is loud, visible, and mobilized. This tension shows democracy’s resilience—its survival depends not on the absence of threats, but on the strength of resistance.
POSTED ON 17-01-2026 BY ADMIN
Next previous 
General Studies
Political Science and International Relations
Some Reference Essays
List of previous year essay topics (1997-2019)
IAS GOOGLE is googled by the team of Raja Sir’s Cracking IAS Academy. Sources include The Hindu, Indian Express, pib.nic.in, Down To Earth, Economic Times, Vigyan Prasar, AIR and the like. IAS GOOGLE has been prepared in pace with emerging UPSC Trends.