• Research
  • Experts
  • Events
Carnegie China logoCarnegie lettermark logo
Rebuilding European Democracy: Resistance and Renewal in an Illiberal Age
Book
Carnegie Europe

Rebuilding European Democracy: Resistance and Renewal in an Illiberal Age

Despite serious concerns over the state of European democracy, a spirit of democratic resistance has gained significant traction. Still, to turn the tide decisively in democracy’s favor, more ambitious renewal will be needed.

Link Copied
By Richard Youngs
Published on Oct 7, 2021

Additional Links

Paperback - $26.89Hardback - $79.50

Source: Bloomsbury Publishing

In recent years serious concerns emerged over the state of European democracy. Many democracy indices are reporting a year-on-year drift towards less liberal politics in the countries of the European Union. The coronavirus pandemic has intensified these fears.

There is another side of the democratic equation, however. Rebuilding European Democracy: Resistance and Renewal in an Illiberal Age argues that governments, EU institutions, political parties, citizens, and civil society organizations have gradually begun to push back in defense of democracy and have developed responses to Europe’s democratic malaise at multiple levels. Europe’s democracy problems have been grave and far-reaching. Yet, a spirit of democratic resistance has slowly taken shape.

This book argues that the pro-democratic fightback may be belated, but it is real and has assumed significant traction with various types of democratic reform underway, including citizen initiatives, political-party changes, digital activism, and EU-level responses.

Richard Youngs
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Richard Youngs
Eastern EuropeWestern EuropeDemocracy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie China

  • Commentary
    China-Europe Relations, Two Years After Russia Invaded Ukraine

    The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a turning point in the EU-China relationship, and evolution of the China-Russia relationship will continue to impact EU-China relations.

      Yifan Ding, Alice Ekman

  • Commentary
    Is Europe Aligned on China?

    Recent visits by European officials highlight the EU’s lack of internal cohesion.

      • +1

      Paul Haenle, Chan Heng Chee, Liu Yawei, …

  • Article
    The Many “One Chinas”: Multiple Approaches to Taiwan and China

    Beijing says that over 180 countries accept its “one China principle” regarding Taiwan, but the reality is more complicated.

      Chong Ja Ian

  • Commentary
    China’s Zero COVID Policy Is a Double-Edged Sword

    Beijing must choose between preserving its pandemic narrative or facing more unrest.

      Paul Haenle

  • Commentary
    Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Has Jeopardized the China-EU Relationship

    “It’s not so clear how we’re going to get out of this.”

      Paul Haenle, Philippe Le Corre

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie China
Carnegie China logo, white
  • Research
  • About
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie China
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.