A purely philosophical approach to the definition of democracy seems almost naive in today’s fractured world. What’s more urgent is to examine how the very same democratic framework which promises the right to live and let live, is being systematically exploited by those who control the levers of global power to maintain their hegemonic influence.

Democracy is currently at a dangerous crossroads. The world is lurching from one crisis to another, experiencing wars, political extremism, and supremacist ideologies. Power struggles have existed since the beginning of civilisation. The Tsars fought the Ottomans, Vikings raided the Carolingians, Rome battled Persia, and former colonies sought to free themselves from imperial chains. Power-hungry forces have always existed making our present just as dark and dangerous.

Today’s wars and political confrontations are not merely about land or belief systems. They reflect something deeper: the breakdown of international order, the erosion of moral leadership, and a surge in extremism. From the devastated streets of Gaza to the trenches of Ukraine, from rising nationalism in South Asia to deepening divides in the Indo-Pacific, the world is slipping further away from dialogue and cooperation. In this climate, democracy faces one of its greatest existential tests. 

Eminent historian Eric Hobsbawm, in his classic book The Age of Extremes, characterised the 20th century as an era of accelerating change – where technology and prosperity bloomed, but so did violence, injustice, and disconnection. He cautioned that unchecked capitalism and nationalism would take us into dark, chaotic times. That warning resonates more than ever today. In many democratic countries, freedom of speech is dwindling, dissent is being criminalised and state institutions are being bent into tools of political dominance. The democratic ethic of “live and let live” is slowly being replaced by an “us versus them” mindset. Politics has shifted from a contest of ideas to a battle over identities. Winning has become more important than effective governance. 

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What makes our time uniquely dangerous is the simultaneous convergence of historic forces, technological power and political demagoguery. We are not just fighting over borders or ideologies – we are fighting disinformation, algorithmic manipulation, and digital echo chambers. Outrage is rewarded while nuance is suppressed, and societies are increasingly polarised at a rate never seen before. In this age of extremes, democracy is walking a tightrope – one misstep could be catastrophic. Political theorist Pratap Bhanu Mehta, recently in his piece "Conflicts across the world: Dangerous new thresholds" puts forth the argument that not only is there an absence of leadership today, but this absence also comes without moral clarity and competence.

The once credible international institutions that sought to promote peace now engage in hollow rituals of power balancing. Instead of empowering people, in numerous countries, democracy has turned into a tool to enable a permanent majoritarian regime. Governance systems are weaponised, the opposition is branded as illegitimate, and dissenting voices are muted. 

The war in Ukraine has reignited old rifts in Europe. The Israel-Gaza confrontation, now complicated by Iran's increasing involvement, has created the most unstable environment in the Middle East since the Arab Spring. India and Pakistan continue to flare with tension, worsened by nationalist rhetoric. These are not separate crises; they reflect cracks in the post – World War II system that once promised stability. Former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, in his book World Order, argued that peace relies on diverse systems finding ways to coexist, even if they do not necessarily see eye to eye. He warned against imposing one version of democracy on another. Yet what we see today is the opposite: nations turning inward, prioritising self interest over common values and international cooperation.

The global order that emerged from the ruins of the world wars and the Cold War is beginning to fail under new pressures – populist nationalism, digital authoritarianism, weakened multilateralism, and the breakdown of geopolitical norms. From Eastern Europe to the Middle East, and from South Asia to the Indo-Pacific, confrontation has replaced cooperation.

In India, election dominance is increasingly tied to one ideology, backed by pressure on institutions. Across Europe, right-wing populism is pushing politics in directions that openly challenge diversity. Even long-standing democracies are struggling to rein in leaders who see constitutional safeguards not as protections, but as obstacles to get around. The once-steady circle of powerful nations that kept a global balance is breaking apart, with alliances shifting overnight. Countries strike deals with authoritarian regimes for energy, while democracies often avoid holding each other accountable. The West talks about human rights but pulls back when strategic interests are at stake. The East champions sovereignty, but often by limiting freedoms and diversity.

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The last decade has shown how quickly voices for humanity can fall prey to megalomaniac power centres. Democracy is broken when voices are silenced. Out of 195 countries in the world, only around 85 can be classified as democratic – and even fewer meet the standards of genuine pluralism. Ironically, some of the world’s most authoritarian regimes – from China and Russia to Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar – frequently invoke the rhetoric of free speech. Yet their own track records betray a stark contradiction between word and deed. Their embrace of democratic language is often cosmetic, designed to cover up repression in the guise of legitimacy.

The real threat to democracy today is not always external. The battle is no longer just between democracies and autocracies, but between democratic values and their gradual dissolution from within. Around the world, leaders are exploiting the very freedoms they claim to defend. Polarisation is increasing, public discourse is shrinking, and the space for disagreement is disappearing. 

And yet, amid this turbulence, there is space for hope – but only if we redefine what democracy truly means. It cannot survive as merely a system of elections. It must represent a moral vision, continuously refreshed by civic courage, strong institutions, and global solidarity. It must be able to withstand pressure both from within and without. It is not simply about ballots, but about voices – especially those at the margins. It must be honest enough to recognise its shortcomings and brave enough to address them.

So, the real question is, can democracy survive this age of extremes? The answer is yes – but only if we stop being mere spectators.

Sayed Rashad Ikmal is an independent researcher on India’s socio-political landscape.

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