Democrats are on the back foot. Most accept that we are living through perilous times, with every aspect of our societies under threat – prosperity, equality, sustainability, and security. Ultimately, democracy itself is under attack: not only directly, but also indirectly, if it cannot demonstrate that it is capable of addressing the fundamental challenges we face.
Yet there is a striking paradox. Politicians who acknowledge these challenges and even endorse the necessary solutions often claim that implementing them is politically impossible. The fear of electoral backlash prevents not only decisive action but even serious attempts to govern for the long term. This is a failure of leadership – and risks becoming a fatal weakness for democracy. But history shows that when our backs are against the wall, we can act. During the Eurozone crisis, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe broke taboos and took unprecedented steps that once seemed impossible. The speed, scale, and scope of these responses have not always matched the magnitude of the threats – but they show that, in extremis, Europe can rise to the occasion.
The task now is to harness that same sense of urgency for the future. This requires electorates to recognise that we no longer live in a benign world, but in one that threatens everything we value. Fear – of what will happen if we fail – must become a driver of political will. Only then can democracy prove it can prevail not just in good times, but in bad.
Fabian Zuleeg is Chief Executive and Chief Economist at the European Policy Centre.
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