The Fragility of Democracy

Democracy is often touted as an unshakable pillar of modern civil society – we are told that its mere existence is a given and that this strong foundation is built to last. Freedom, fairness, and safety to pursue a life which is entirely your own are fundamental aspects of liberation and the West is frequently packaged as a shining beacon of just that.

So, colour us (and the rest of the rational world) surprised and appalled to see the current political pivot toward unforgiving and authoritarian systems which are nothing more than draconian déjà vu.

Just recently, the United States was added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, citing Donald Trump’s “assault on democratic norms and global cooperation,” as well as his administration’s embargo on all things EDI as the inciting incident.

The rapid disintegration of civil liberties in “the land of the free” has not gone unnoticed. But make no mistake, this is not an ailment confined to our Southern borders. We are witnessing a perceptible global shift toward totalitarianism, the likes of which we haven’t seen for decades.

In Italy, the rise of far-right leadership has already led to stricter immigration laws and an increased hostility toward equity-deserving communities. In Germany, the controversial AfD party has made concerning political gains in an election which was much too close for comfort. On home soil in Canada, we are seeing elected officials espouse alarmingly similar sentiments on the public stage.

And, as democratic protections and freedoms of expression continue to erode at breakneck speed, we can’t help but think of society’s most vulnerable. Equity-deserving groups have historically borne the brunt of damage as pertaining to the removal of civil liberties and it’s chilling to see a return to form after years of performative social activism and corporate acceptance.

The voices of a diverse global populace are being drowned out as a rising tide of fascism sweeps away hard-fought victories for marginalized communities the world over. We are witnessing a rollback of reproductive rights, the silencing of dissenting voices in media and education, and targeted attacks against already subjugated groups through oppressive laws, policies, and executive orders.

The reckless dismantling of democratic protections is already having a devastating and disproportionate impact on racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and many more who rely on inclusive policies to ensure their personal safety, access to equal opportunity, and dignity.

This steady removal of safeguards is nothing more than a blatant attack on independence, human rights, and social justice.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the way of life we have grown accustomed to and the freedoms we know and expect are never guaranteed. Liberty is a fragile thing and must never be taken for granted – lest we mirror the same grave errors and hubris of those who came before us.

True democracy is not self-sustaining, it requires continuous scrutinization and a commitment to earnest accountability. In these trying times, we remind you to stay vigilant, be vocal, choose kindness, be mindful of the influences in your life, fight to protect every member of our society, and never assume that attacks on your neighbour could never extend to you.

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”