The future world is shifting from democracy to authoritarianism

The French government has recently taken significant legal action against right-wing political figures, most notably sentencing Marine Le Pen to jail and barring her from holding public office for five years. This legal decision reflects the increasingly polarized political environment in Europe, where some progressive factions appear to use the judicial system as means of diminishing opposition, writes Kung Chan, the founder of ANBOUND.

Le Pen's case indicates broader trends within European politics, where liberal and progressive movements seem to be adopting more radicalized positions. This shift in European political dynamics mirrors certain developments observed in the United States, particularly within the Democratic Party. In this context, some, like JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, have criticized Europe’s political trajectory, drawing comparisons to the authoritarian regimes of the past. While his remarks faced backlash, contemporary events suggest that his concerns may hold certain validity. In Germany, for instance, the treatment of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raises questions about democratic practices, with accusations of political isolation through coalition tactics that marginalize right-wing groups despite their substantial public support.

Given the current political and economic challenges in Europe, including declining public support for progressive governments, the prospect of a fair and democratic election might result in a loss of power for these governments. In response to this potential outcome, there appears to be a growing tendency to manipulate legal frameworks to maintain political control, potentially undermining the objectivity and credibility of the legal system. Such practices could erode public trust in the law, which has traditionally served as a cornerstone of Western societies.

A similar situation had happened in the United States, where the Democratic Party has used the courts to challenge Donald Trump's political influence and attempts to obstruct his administration’s actions. Some have argued that judges, by intervening in executive affairs, are blurring the lines of the separation of powers and politicizing the judicial system. This raises concerns about the increasing entanglement of the judiciary in partisan politics, which undermines the independence of the courts.

These developments point to a broader trend in Western politics, where the deepening political polarization and the growing reliance on legal and judicial tools to enforce political agendas could signal the decline of democratic governance. This shift could lead to the emergence of various forms of authoritarianism: benevolent, oppressive, limited, and lawless. This is, unfortunately, the inevitable trajectory for the world.

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