Drawing the Line? Civil Society As Bulwark, Catalyst, or Bystander during Democratic Backsliding

The third wave of autocratization differs from its predecessors: it is characterized by democratic erosion from within, in which citizens play a central role insofar as they vote the very actors of erosion into office. Civil society – taking shape in movements, organizations, and any sort of collective action – occupies a threefold position: (1) It advances democratic erosion through the spread of nationalist and populist narratives. (2) At the same time, it pushes back against the far right and defends rights increasingly being curtailed such as minority and women’s rights. (3) And yet, to a large extent, it is simply watching; holding moderate views that, while not necessarily in line with autocratization, do not stop it either. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of growing economic and environmental inequality but also unprecedented opportunities for global connection.

This session welcomes empirical and theoretical contributions that address civil society in an increasingly authoritarian world. Society appears far more nuanced than the inflated discourse on polarization suggests. Rather than two entrenched camps, it is better understood as a fragmented landscape of coexisting groups that mobilize differently depending on the issue at hand. Whether it is Gen Z protest, the Manosphere, the 4B movement, Last Generation or the decline of trade unions, civil society remains an underdog in research on democratic erosion, while sitting at its heart. This session gathers perspectives from across the globe that map the landscape of civil society, uncovering the mechanisms that drive, sustain, or counter democratic norms.