GLOBAL DEMOCRACY RISING
2024–2025 Round Up
Lessons from the frontlines of democratic resistance worldwide
In our fight against authoritarianism, we often focus on setbacks and threats. But across the globe, pro-democracy movements are scoring significant victories using innovative strategies. These success stories offer crucial lessons for our own struggles.
Here are eight recent examples of democratic resilience that should inspire our work:
1. Poland: Democratic Turnaround via Coalition and Civic Mobilization
What went down:
In October 2023, Polish voters ousted the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS) after eight years of authoritarian governance marked by court-packing, media capture, and attacks on women and LGBTQ+ rights.
Why it matters:
A massive civic turnout campaign, particularly among women and youth, led to record participation. A broad pro-democracy coalition—including centrists, progressives, and independents—formed a new government.
Lesson:
Coalition-building, sustained civic education, and turnout-focused organizing can defeat illiberal regimes through the ballot box.
2. Thailand: Youth-Led Challenge to Military Rule
What happened: The 2023 elections saw the pro-democracy Move Forward Party (MFP), popular with young voters, win a plurality despite military influence and constitutional barriers.
Why it matters: Although the military blocked MFP from forming a government, the movement exposed the limits of the military-backed establishment and catalyzed a new generation of political engagement.
Lesson: Even when institutions are rigged, mass participation and cultural change can shift political norms and make authoritarianism harder to sustain.
3. Brazil: Defending Democracy Against a Coup Attempt
What went down: After a highly polarized 2022 election, Lula da Silva defeated Jair Bolsonaro. When Bolsonaro supporters launched a violent January 2023 insurrection, institutions held firm—courts, military leadership, and civil society rejected the coup attempt.
Why it matters: The peaceful transfer of power showed how coordinated institutional resistance and civil society vigilance can stop an autocratic slide.
Lesson: Preparedness for authoritarian backlash is critical. Strong institutions and popular mobilization together can safeguard transitions.
4. Slovakia: A Narrow Victory Against Right-Wing Populism
What went down: In 2024, a newly unified opposition mounted a strong challenge to populist PM Robert Fico's return, mobilizing youth and urban voters with a pro-European, anti-corruption platform.
Why it matters: Though Fico did win, the opposition's resilience kept democratic discourse alive and helped moderate government behavior.
Lesson: Even partial victories and resistance movements can constrain authoritarian power when they activate public consciousness and international solidarity.
5. Chile: Progressive Democratic Adaptation
What went down: After initially rejecting a bold left-wing constitution in 2022, Chileans showed democratic maturity by revisiting the process. In 2023, they rejected a right-wing alternative as well, signaling public demand for consensus-based reforms.
Why it matters: Chile remains committed to democratic experimentation and constitutional renewal in the post-Pinochet era.
Lesson: Democratic progress isn't linear, but participatory constitutionalism can help societies negotiate change without violence.
6. Kenya: Judicial Independence vs. Executive Overreach
What went down: Kenya's courts ruled against President Ruto's attempts to undermine the constitution with the "Building Bridges Initiative." Meanwhile, public protests in 2023-2024 against economic austerity and governance failures drew significant attention.
Why it matters: A strong judiciary and youth-led protest movements are reshaping Kenyan politics from below.
Lesson: Rule of law and organized dissent can coexist as mutually reinforcing tools of democratic accountability.
7. United States: State and Local Resistance as Federal Institutions Waver
What went down: In the face of escalating authoritarian moves from the right (e.g., voter suppression, court capture, extremism), cities and states—particularly in blue states—have ramped up democratic innovations: ranked choice voting, participatory budgeting, immigrant protections, and sanctuary laws.
Why it matters: Local power is being harnessed to resist national-level autocracy and build more participatory governance.
Lesson: Federalism can be a tool for democratic resistance when subnational actors commit to equity and rights.
8. India: Democratic Pushback in a Constrained Environment
What went down: Amid growing repression under Modi's BJP government, Indian farmers won concessions after a massive protest movement. Independent journalists, students, and regional political leaders continue to challenge authoritarianism at great personal risk.
Why it matters: Though national institutions are under strain, India's democratic spirit is alive in its civil society and federal states.
Lesson: Long-term resistance in hostile contexts often requires moral courage, decentralized organizing, and persistence.
Common Threads Across These Victories
As we study these examples, several successful strategies emerge:
Coalition-building across ideological lines: Even unlikely alliances (e.g., liberals and centrists in Poland) can stop democratic decline.
In the U.S., we should build the broadest coalitions possible, especially at the municipal, county, and state levels in states not yet rule by authoritarian trifectas.
Youth and women leadership: Many of these movements are powered by young people and women demanding inclusion and rights.
Civic education and voter turnout campaigns: Voter education and mobilization are key to winning even in repressive contexts.
We shouldn’t put all of our eggs in the elections basket, but neither should we fail drive as much participation on that front as possible.
Legal and institutional defense: Courts, when independent, can be bulwarks against authoritarian overreach as they have so far been, for the most part, in the U.S.
Monitoring and reporting on authoritarian attempts to capture the judiciary should be considered a priority.
Mass protests and direct action: Street power is often a critical check on rigged institutions and corrupt regimes.
Street power should not be viewed in left v. right terms, and concerns about the lack of racial diversity in recent protests in the U.S. should not be viewed as a benefit - they distribute risk differently, creating more political space and opportunity to organize mobilizations in communities of color.
Where to Watch Next
The struggle continues in several key battlegrounds:
South Korea (2024–2025): Rising youth discontent and feminist resistance could reshape the political landscape.
Turkey (2025 elections): Despite Erdoğan's dominance, opposition parties are regrouping.
Tunisia: Civil society remains active despite Saied's authoritarian drift.
European Union: Resistance to far-right surges is building in youth-led movements in Germany, Italy, and France.
What global democratic resistance movements inspire you? Share your thoughts in the comments. I will investigate your suggestions and may publish posts about your examples.