How Democracies Die: Understanding Democratic Backsliding
In this lecture, Professor Anja Neundorf (University of Glasgow) explores what democratic backsliding is, how it unfolds, and what recent global evidence reveals about the changing state of democracy worldwide.
Stevenson Trust, Social Sciences hub
Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026
Time: 18:00 - 19:30
Venue: The Humanities Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow and Online
Category: Public lectures, Social events, Academic events, Student events, Alumni events
Speaker: Anja Neundorf
Around the world, democracy is under pressure, but today's democracies rarely collapse through military coups or revolutions. Instead, they are more often weakened gradually from within by elected leaders who erode democratic institutions one step at a time.
In the Autumn 2026 lecture series, we will explore what democratic backsliding is, what it looks like in other established democracies and what it would look like in the United Kingdom. Join us in person or online as we welcome leading scholars to the University of Glasgow to help us understand how democratic institutions are eroding and what it means for people in the UK. In Spring 2027, we will examine ways we can engage with our democratic institutions and processes to help secure democracy in the UK.