Is democracy worth saving?

But three decades on, the picture looks very different. Instead of expanding, democracy is in retreat. Authoritarianism has not only survived but resurged—and in some cases, in countries once seen as champions of liberal democracy. The United States, long regarded as a beacon of democratic values, now struggles with polarization, institutional mistrust, and democratic backsliding, especially under the Trump presidency.

By contrast, some authoritarian governments appear to offer stability and economic success. China, for instance, has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty under one-party rule, while Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew is often praised for its efficiency, order, and prosperity. These examples are frequently cited to argue that democracy is messy, slow, and less capable of delivering results. Yet such stability often comes at the cost of personal freedoms, limited accountability, and the risk of unchecked abuses of power. Economic success under authoritarianism may be possible—but it is not guaranteed, nor is it a substitute for citizens having rights and a voice in their own future.

Research confirms what many sense: democracy is under attack globally. The respected V-Dem Institute reports that 72% of the world’s population now lives under some form of autocracy, and the number of liberal democracies has fallen to levels last seen in 1986. Freedom House’s 2023 survey also notes a 17-year decline in global freedom, with authoritarian governments tightening their grip while democracies show internal cracks.

This democratic recession is marked by the same worrying patterns everywhere: abuse of state resources to tilt elections, manipulation of electoral boundaries (gerrymandering), weakened judiciaries, shrinking space for independent media, and the silencing of dissent.

Despite its flaws, democracy remains the only system that gives citizens a voice and the power to hold leaders accountable. Winston Churchill’s famous words still ring true: democracy is “the worst form of government—except for all the others.”

Democracy is built on the principle that no ruler is above the people. Its imperfections come not from the system itself but from elites who manipulate it for personal gain. The solution, therefore, is not to abandon democracy but to resist those who tries to hijack it and to strengthen the institutions that protect it.

For democracy to work, certain guardrails must remain strong. Among them:

1. Free and Fair Elections – where access to voting is unhindered, every vote is equal in value, without abuse of state resources, intimidation, biased electoral maps or Election Commissions.

2. Independent Judiciary – to ensure that laws protect citizens, not just those in power.

3. Independent Investigative and Prosecutorial Bodies – so corruption and abuse of office can be checked.

4. A Functioning Legislature – where government and opposition play their roles under fair rules.

5. Stable Governance – rules against party-hopping or opportunistic defections can prevent political chaos and allow elected governments to focus on policy implementation instead of constant politicking to stay in power.

6. Free Press and Civil Society – independent journalism and active citizen groups shine a light on abuses.

7. Social Harmony – fostered not through suppression or legislation alone but through platforms that encourages open dialogue and respect for diversity.

These are not luxuries; they are the foundations of a society where citizens are free, equal, and protected.

The enemies of democracy—those who seek to dominate, enrich themselves, or silence others—are always present. Every generation produces its would-be strongmen and kleptocrats. This is why defending democracy is an intergenerational task.

Around the world, people continue to rise up when their rights are threatened. From Belarus to Indonesia, Egypt to Thailand, even in Malaysia, citizens risk their safety and took to the streets to demand dignity, justice, freedom, and accountability. These movements remind us that democracy is not just a system of government or a ‘Western’ idea—it is a human aspiration.

So, is democracy worth saving? Absolutely. Because without it, we lose our right to choose, to speak, to dissent, to dream of a better future, and ultimately -our dignity as a human being. The pushback we see today is not a sign of democracy’s failure, but of its value. Powerful elites fear it because democracy empowers ordinary people.

That is why our duty—as citizens, activists, and voters—is not to give up when democracy falters but to reform and defend it. For in defending democracy, we are defending ourselves.

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Thomas Fann is the former Chairperson of BERSIH and writes as a private citizen who still believes in ordinary Malaysians — whom he believes are decent, fair-minded, and share a common desire to live in peace and harmony.