Comparing Democratic backsliding in Hungary, Turkey, and India

Question 1

Turkey Under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Answer 1

*Media suppression
*2016 Coup and emergency powers
*2017 Constitutional Referendum
*Judiciary and elections

Question 1

Hungary under Viktor Orbán

Answer 1

*2010 election
*Media control
*Judicial reforms
*Changes to electoral laws
*Civil society restrictions

Question 2

India Under Narendra Modi

Answer 2

*Media controls and lower press freedom
*Religious nationalism and majoritarianism
*Judiciary and Executive power
*Civil society and protests
*Digital surveillance and misinformation

Question 3

Common features

Answer 3

Despite differences in culture, geography, religious, and political history, Hungary, Turkey, and India all exhibit some common features associated with democratic backsliding

1.Strong leadership with authoritarian tendencies
2. Manipulation of democratic institutions
3.Restriction of civil liberties and press freedom
4. Populism and nationalism
5.Weakening of judicial independence

Question 4

Possible causal explanations?

Answer 4

*Populist leaders with authoritarian tendencies: In all three cases, strong leaders use populist rhetoric to undermine democratic institutions by framing themselves as the true representatives of the people.

*Weak democratic institutions: All three countries exhibit long-standing institutional weaknesses, making it easier for leaders to concentrate power and erode checks and balances.

*Use of nationalist or crisis rhetoric: All three leaders justify authoritarian measures by invoking internal or external threats (immigration, terrorism, religious minorities) to rally support and suppress opposition.

*Global trend toward democratic decline: All three cases are part of a global shift away from liberal democracy, suggesting broader systemic changes are at play.