5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Globalization initially emerged as an economic phenomenon but gradually it has covered almost all the institutions of the society. In the last decade of 20^th century, some scholars argued that democracy and freedom of the expression are most important characteristics for sustainability of highly modern society with a liberal global economy. The authoritarian regimes of East Europe and USSR could not sustain as they lack these basic institutions of modernity. Eisenstadt has depicted these regimes as examples of failed modernity. Most of the countries of East Europe became member of European Union and NATO or are aspired to join. The re-emergence of authoritarianism in last one decade with the adventures of Russia and its collaborators in last one decades by annexing a part of Georgia (2006-2008) and Crimea (2014) compelled the Ukraine and other nation states of East Europe to join European Union and NATO to become the part of global economic order and defense from the expansionist policies of Russia. This has polarized the world in two major camps. One led by USA and European Union and the other by Russia and its allies, most of them are authoritarian regimes. Remaining countries have taken a neutral stand in the two recent wars in Ukraine and Gaza. This raises a question that are the democracies in a crisis situation in the era of globalization? Is lack of accountability to their citizens made an authoritarian regime more powerful?