Democracy Under Scrutiny

Why are citizens increasingly dissatisfied with democracy, and what does this mean for the future of democratic governance? This book investigates the causes and consequences of democratic dissatisfaction throughout different Western and non-Western countries. By examining a wide range of cases it explores how factors such as polarization, populism, and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions are driving this discontent—and how these forces differ across various political contexts.

Offering a mixture of case studies, comparative analyses, and large N statistical analyses, the book explores the drivers of democratic dissatisfaction across different countries and examines the consequences for political participation, electoral outcomes, and institutional legitimacy. It provides a global analysis of how citizens’ trust in democracy shapes its stability.

Covering all major regions of the world, this book uncovers the troubling trends of declining democratic quality and examines the potential long-term risks for global democratic stability. An essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and anyone concerned about the future of democracy, this book offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the challenges of modern democratic governance.

Author Biography

Daniel Stockemer is Full Professor at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa and Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies. His research focuses on key challenges of representative democracies. These include (1) the democratic backsliding, (2) the populist tide that has swept the world, (3) transformations in the conduct of elections and the determinants of vote choice, and (4) unequal representation of various cohorts of the population including women, minorities and youth. Throughout his academic career, Daniel has published 5 single authored books, 4 edited volumes, 2 textbooks and more than 170 articles in peer reviewed journals.

Engi Abou El-Kheir is a Ph.D. student at the Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies at the University of Ottawa. Her research areas cover political behavior and minority politics. She has previously published in PLosOne  
Kamila Kolodziejcyk is a Ph.D. student at the Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies at the University of Ottawa. Her research areas cover political behavior and youth politics. Kamila has previously published in Representation.