Due to factors such as income inequality and multiculturalism, liberal democracies have weakened considerably in the last quarter century. Democratic ideals have retreated in Venezuela, the Philippines, Hungary, Russia, and Poland. Many worry that they're on the decline in such bastions of democracy as western Europe and the United States, where fear and distrust of the status quo has opened the door to authoritarian leaders. Is there any hope of getting back to the prosperity and freedom of the mid-twentieth century? The viewpoints in this resource tackle this complex topic from a broad range of perspectives.

Chapter 1.The worldwide rise of authoritarianism -- Is global democracy in trouble? / Mary Kay Magistad -- The post-Cold War democratic order is facing an unprecedented threat / Arch Puddington -- In Nigeria questions about democracy arise / Sebastian Spio-Garbrah -- In Venezuela a new era of authoritarianism could be ushered in / Zeeshan Aleem -- In Europe the rise of new authoritarianism threatens democracy / Märt Trasberg -- Chapter 2. The causes of authoritarianism -- The origins of modern authoritarianism / Freedom House -- Authoritarianism comes in waves / David Motadel -- The return of the strongman leader in countries around the world / Graeme Hamilton -- Is internet freedom a tool for democracy or authoritarianism? / Elizabeth Stoycheff and Erik C. Nisbet -- Far right populism and the will of the people / Dinyar Godrej -- In the former Soviet republics democracy has struggled to take root / Charles H. Fairbanks -- Chapter 3. Is authoritarianism always bad? -- Is authoritarianism really a bad thing? / Deena Stryker -- In Singapore authoritarian prosperity has limits / Freedom House -- In China is Xi Jinping a "good" authoritarian? / Mark Beeson -- In China and Singapore methods for economic gain are dubious / Mark P. Lagon and Brittany L. Fried -- In Egypt a new era of repression / Amr Hamzawy -- Chapter 4. Combatting authoritarianism -- The time-tested way to defeat authoritarianism / Maria J. Stephan and Timothy Snyder -- In Africa authoritarianism must be stopped / Phil Wilmot -- Rules for fighting authoritarianism / Sarah Freeman-Woolpert -- In Australia fighting "sharp power" proves challenging / Christopher Walker, Shanthi Kalathil, and Jessica Ludwig -- In the United States and Europe democracy is in trouble / John Shattuck.