Do the ends justify the means? Liberal democracy’s dilemma
Liberal democracy is under relentless attack – from both within and without. These assaults are becoming more sophisticated and effective, exploiting every vulnerability to weaken democratic societies. They range from systematic disinformation campaigns and attempts to manipulate public discourse to coordinated efforts to undermine institutions and erode trust.
To survive, democracy must become wehrhaft – resilient and capable of defending itself against those who seek to destroy it. Yet how can it do this without betraying its own principles? Liberal democracy is not only an end in itself; it is also a method. The means we use are part of the goal. The end does not justify the means – it defines them. This self-imposed constraint is one that authoritarian ideologies do not share. For them, the end very much justifies the means – or, in today’s narcissistic political climate, nothing matters beyond self-aggrandisement. Liberal democrats thus risk bringing a knife to a gunfight. They can attempt to counter such tactics covertly, hiring the same kinds of expertise used by their opponents – but that risks backfiring, as unscrupulous actors will eventually turn on them.
The challenge, therefore, is to overcome excessive scruples without abandoning core principles. Democracies must learn to fight fire with fire – strategically, intelligently and within the boundaries of democratic norms. If they fail to do so, they risk losing the fight altogether.
Fabian Zuleeg is Chief Executive and Chief Economist at the European Policy Centre.
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