Democratic health concerns rise amid declining civic engagement

Recent studies and observations highlight growing concerns regarding democratic health and civic engagement. In the United States, polling indicates a decline in national pride, with less than half of Americans expressing high levels of pride in their country. Additionally, research suggests that approximately 66% of Americans believe political divisions have worsened since 2021, with many expressing concern over potential future violence.

In a related study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, economist Enrique Seira Bejarano of the University of Notre Dame examined the impact of democratic dissatisfaction in Mexico. Analyzing data from over 50,000 citizens during the 2017 state elections, the research found that low levels of satisfaction with democracy led to decreased participation in essential democratic activities, such as attending poll worker training, staffing polling stations, and voting in subsequent presidential elections.

These findings contribute to a broader global discussion on democratic backsliding, a phenomenon where political institutions erode as they deviate from established democratic rules and norms.