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What Kills Democracies?
This article explores the factors contributing to the decline of democracies, including economic crises, inequality, the erosion of democratic norms, and the rise of hate speech.
French
France
PoliticsEconomyLabour MarketFranceDemocracyInequalitySocial Unrest
BasfDemocratic PartyLe Cherche Midi
Peter TurchinMarlene EngelhornFriedrich Engelhorn
- How do economic crises contribute to the weakening of democracies?
- The article highlights the erosion of democratic norms, such as respect for others' freedom of thought and the legitimacy of governments, as a key factor in the decline of democracies.
- What role do hate speech and xenophobia play in the decline of democracies?
- Economic crises are cited as a significant contributor to democratic decline, leading to the weakening of the middle class, public services, and increased resentment.
- What is Marlene Engelhorn's perspective on wealth and its impact on democracy?
- Marlene Engelhorn, an ultra-rich heiress, argues that excessive wealth is antisocial and that the ultra-rich should be taxed more heavily to reduce inequality, which she sees as a threat to democracy.
- What is Peter Turchin's analysis of the factors that trigger political disintegration?
- The spread of hate speech and xenophobia, coupled with the excessive concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, are also identified as factors contributing to the weakening of democracies.
- What are the main factors contributing to the decline of democracies, according to the article?
- According to Peter Turchin, the disintegration of political states is triggered by the impoverishment of the lower classes combined with a "surplus of elites" accumulating wealth and power.