The World Ahead | Democracy in 2024
2024 will be stressful for those who care about liberal democracy
In theory it should be a triumphant year for democracy. In practice it will be the opposite
By Zanny Minton Beddoes
More than half the people on the planet live in countries that will hold nationwide elections in 2024, the first time this milestone has been reached. Based on recent patterns of voter turnout, close to 2bn people in more than 70 countries will head to the polls. Ballots will be cast from Britain to Bangladesh, from India to Indonesia. Yet what sounds like it should be a triumphant year for democracy will be the opposite.
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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “Democracy in danger”
