key insights from the rich discussions in Hashtag#Davos.

📊 Data paint a sobering picture: According to the Varieties of Democracy project, global democracy levels have retreated to what we saw in 1985 (by share of population). We've witnessed democratic decline for 15 consecutive years, with the world now almost evenly split between democracies and autocracies.

🗳️ 2024's "year of elections" revealed three critical patterns:
·       Incumbents saw their support diminish and traditional parties lost significant ground
·       Citizen trust in political institutions hit rock bottom
·       Populist movements expanded beyond their traditional base, attracting diverse coalitions of support

💡 It is often said that citizens are turning their back to democracy, but this is not how most citizens interpret their behaviour. Citizens are turning their back to the version of democracy that they have been experiencing for the past decades. The political class and institutions of representative democracy are held responsible for failing to deliver the necessary outputs and ensuring economic well-being across many communities. They have also failed to articulate an aspirational vision for the future that includes believable change. Therefore, citizen trust in the entire existing system is depleted

⚠️ When trust in institutions erodes, populist messaging becomes particularly potent. Its anti-establishment rhetoric resonates deeply with citizens who feel at odds with the political system, while its promise of strong leadership appeals to those seeking certainty in turbulent times.

🤝  Business leaders will have an important role to play in this era of democratic fragility and can engage with society through:
- Grounding communication in honesty – the foundation of rebuilding trust
- Articulating a long-term vision, which goes beyond short-term gains
- Using their platforms to promote fact-based discourse and defend the integrity of public debate

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