emocracies across the globe are encountering a profound crisis of trust, as evidenced by rising political polarisation, the spread of disinformation and increasing economic inequality. In the face of these significant challenges, several questions about the viability and necessity of democracy as a system of governance have been raised. The success of China’s development model as a party-state; the resurrection of Russia as a major world player; and electoral victories of several populist leaders lamenting existing political class as corrupt have been cited as examples of discontentment of institutionalised governance structures supervised by accountable authority. It is claimed that democracy is not the only viable model of governance; in fact, some other (authoritarian) systems are rather effective to discipline; and multicultural societies outgrow perennial questions of development and offer prosperity to the populace.

It is important to remind oneself that in the face of this apparent and growing disillusionment with the existing democratic systems, the core principles that make democracy irreplaceable as a form of governance cannot be underestimated. The erosion of trust in democracies highlights the need for their renewal and reform rather than their abandonment or alternative experimentation. In the modern world, democracy remains vital for protecting individual rights, fostering accountability and offering a peaceful mechanism for societal change.

Democracies share some salient features that are profoundly absent from other systems. At its most basic level, democracy is indispensable because it is a system that most directly reflects the will of the people. It is a system built upon the idea that every individual has a right to participate in shaping policies and decisions that affect their lives. Unlike authoritarian regimes where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, democracies disperse power among citizens, empowering them to influence governance through voting, civic engagement and dialogue. This participatory nature of democracy embodies in itself the moral commitment to political equality—the declaration that no one person’s voice should outweigh another’s. Democracies, in other words, strive to ensure that governance is not simply a matter of elite control but genuinely reflects the interests and concerns of the entire populace.

Two, since democracies rely upon the voice and consent of the governed, they are inherently adaptable; they are designed to be dynamic and responsive to societal transformations. They allow for the evolution of laws, policies and institutions, making them particularly suited for managing the complexities of modern life, including economic inequalities, technological transformations and environmental injustices. When democratic institutions falter—they have faltered for quite some time now—it is not the idea of a government of the people, by the people, for the people that is flawed. Often it is local leaders who fail to adhere to it. Since people get the right to penalise their corrupt leaders, democracies possess a genetic code of self-correction—a key reason why they endure despite growing scepticism surrounding them.

Three, democracies have an unparalleled record of safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. In a democratic system, citizens enjoy fundamental freedoms ranging from the freedom of speech and assembly to choice. These rights have to be forgone under authoritarian regimes. These freedoms are central to human dignity, allowing individuals to express their thoughts, advocate for better policies and participate in societal change. The decline of trust in democratic institutions does not reduce the value of these freedoms. Instead, it underscores the necessity of ensuring that they are protected and expanded. Authoritarian regimes often suppress dissent and violate human rights with impunity because power is absolute, concentrated and unaccountable. Democracies institutionalise a system of checks and balances that restrains power, prevents abuses and ensures that citizens have mechanisms for redress. The importance of these safeguards cannot be overstated; they provide the foundation for a just and equitable society.

Four, whereas China has outshone democratic development models by making huge economic progress and by bringing millions of its citizens out of poverty, it must be kept in mind that democracies, wherever they have functioned well, promote economic stability and prosperity by promoting inclusiveness and diversity. Historically, liberal democracies have enjoyed higher levels of economic growth and stability. Their belief in individual freedoms has produced an economic corollary in the form of market economies fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and foreign direct investments. Democracies require transparency and accountability, thus creating a business-friendly environment that curbs corruption and ensures fair competition. Democracies ensure protection of property rights through open and just criminal justice systems, enforce contracts and encourage domestic and international economic cooperation. Although market economies do lead to economic inequalities and recurrent crises, democratic governments erect institutional mechanisms to cater to the needs of deprived classes through social justice projects such as free education; subsidised housing; income support programmes; tax cuts directed at the working class; and stronger worker protections.

Lastly, democracies provide a level of moral legitimacy to the leadership that authoritarian regimes cannot claim. In democracy, the legitimacy of a government is derived from the consent of the governed, exhibited through the exercise of their right to choose their leaders and hold them accountable through recurrent free and fair election cycles. This legitimacy is vital not only for maintaining social stability but also for promoting a sense of collective responsibility among citizens. Authoritarian regimes, on the other hand, often rely on coercion and propaganda, and instilling a sense of retribution and retaliation from the state, resulting in a fragile stability that can collapse quickly once opposition forces grow too strong. This can lead to widespread violence and loss of lives.

Pakistan has struggled to achieve a stable democratic system, often oscillating between authoritarian rule and fragile elected governments. This has eroded public trust in both forms of governance. The absence of sustained democratic rule and its key elements such as civic engagement; the rule of law; free and fair elections; and a restraint on the use of power through institutional checks and balances have deprived Pakistan of the full realisation of democratic governance.

The rise of authoritarian leaders, both globally and in pockets of established democracies, highlights the urgency of defending democratic values. Authoritarian leaders often capitalise on economic discontentment, political divisions and mistrust of democratic systems to gain power, promising swift and decisive action. They typically practice suppression of freedoms, concentration of power and widespread human rights violations. Understandably, the allure of a quick fix to complex policy questions creates an opportunity for the rise of authoritarian leaders. However, such actions are inherently unstable and prone to collapse in the face of societal challenges. The very problems that drive disillusionment with democracy—economic inequality, social unrest, and political dysfunction—are exacerbated under authoritarian rule.

Despite an apparent collapse of trust in existing democracies, democracy remains indispensable. Rebuilding trust in democracy requires a concerted effort to reform and strengthen democratic institutions.

Transparency is the key to this process. Generation Z demands that old habits should die now; governments must respond to the unique reality of lack of control over dispensation of information leading to political awareness and disillusionment. The young majority of the population in countries such as Pakistan demands political equality, a fair share in public resources and burdens, and above all, accountability of their leaders. Elite capture has become an antonym of democracy. Embezzlement needs to be rooted out and the influence of money in politics curtailed.

Equitable electoral reforms can help address the perception that political systems are rigged in favour of the elites. They can also help restore the resilience of democratic systems.

The writer is professor of government at the Houston Community College, USA. He can be reached at suklashari@gmail.com