European protests highlight challenges to liberal democracy

Recent protests in European cities reflect a growing social malaise and a sense of disenfranchisement among citizens, particularly the youth. These movements, described by António Guerreiro as a “planetary civil war,” expose the limitations of liberal democracy in an era where power is increasingly diffuse and fragmented.

The rise of “hyperpolitics,” a concept popularized by historian Anton Jäger, has led to the continuous and exacerbated politicization of public spaces. This phenomenon often results in inorganic and sometimes violent street movements that challenge the ability of governments to maintain authority and democratic civility. The inability of institutional frameworks to address these spontaneous protests remains a primary challenge for political power in Western nations.