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Misunderstanding Democratic Backsliding
Research

Misunderstanding Democratic Backsliding

Backsliding is less a result of democracies failing to deliver than of democracies failing to constrain the predatory political ambitions and methods of certain elected leaders. Policymakers and aid providers seeking to limit backsliding should tailor their diplomatic and aid interventions accordingly. 

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By Thomas Carothers and Brendan Hartnett
Published on Jul 1, 2024
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Democracy, Conflict, and Governance

The Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program is a leading source of independent policy research, writing, and outreach on global democracy, conflict, and governance. It analyzes and seeks to improve international efforts to reduce democratic backsliding, mitigate conflict and violence, overcome political polarization, promote gender equality, and advance pro-democratic uses of new technologies.

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Read in the Journal of Democracy

About the Authors

Thomas Carothers

Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Thomas Carothers, a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, is a leading expert on comparative democratization and international support for democracy.

Brendan Hartnett

Former James C. Gaither Junior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program

Brendan Hartnett was a James C. Gaither Junior Fellow in the Carnegie Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program.

Authors

Thomas Carothers
Harvey V. Fineberg Chair for Democracy Studies; Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Thomas Carothers
Brendan Hartnett
Former James C. Gaither Junior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
DemocracyPolitical Reform

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.

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