In 1990, Russian President Boris Yeltsin promised to elevate the living standards of his citizens. However, within four years, the reality turned starkly different as real incomes halved, and 32 million Russians were thrust into poverty due to shock-therapy policies. This economic turmoil is part of a broader narrative where many young people worldwide are losing faith in democratic systems. A recent study highlighted that a significant portion of Britons under 45 believe a strong, unelected leader could be a better alternative for governance. This trend reflects growing disillusionment with democratic processes, particularly among younger generations.
The rise of the far right has been bolstered by adept use of social media, which has proven instrumental in radicalizing increasing numbers of followers. In contrast, leftist movements lag significantly behind in their digital outreach capabilities. This digital divide contributes to the shifting political landscape, with many turning to more authoritarian solutions as confidence in democracy wanes. For instance, in France, nearly a third of young people have expressed a loss of faith in democratic institutions.
Meanwhile, historical contexts provide insight into these changes. Violent crime surged dramatically in the United States between the mid-1960s and late 1970s, with homicide rates doubling. During this period, American voters would have found Donald Trump's fascist sympathies alarming. Interestingly, the U.S. exhibited more susceptibility to fascist tendencies in the 1930s than during the violent crime wave of the 60s and 70s.
Vladimir Putin's Russia remains categorized as a democracy in terms of metrics, yet by 2021, only 16% of Russians endorsed the "western model of democracy." The shadow of fascism from the 1930s seems to have diminished in its deterrent effect on modern populations. According to research from the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of citizens in twelve high-income nations expressed dissatisfaction with democracy as of 2024.
The Thatcher era in Britain exemplifies the dichotomy between political promise and reality. While Thatcherism heralded an era of freedom, it instead delivered widespread insecurity. This disillusionment is not isolated to Britain; a study by Cambridge researchers underscored that younger generations globally have become increasingly disenchanted with democratic governance.
The implications of these findings are profound. As more individuals, particularly youth, turn away from traditional democratic ideals, there is a noticeable shift towards exploring alternative governance systems that promise stability and order over participatory government processes.