4. Rising Influence of Authoritarianism
Throughout history, societies have oscillated between democratic and autocratic governance, as seen during the interwar period’s rise of fascism. Recent trends indicate a resurgence of authoritarian policies worldwide, often emerging during crises. This shift is evident in the 2025 Freedom in the World report, which highlights a 20th consecutive year of decline in democratic governance across regions from Central Europe to Central Asia. For more details, visit Freedom House’s report on global freedom trends (freedomhouse.org).
