Romanian sociologist and writer critique the country's dwindling trust in democracy

Sociologist Darie Cristea argues that a chronic lack of confidence in democratic institutions now spans the Western world and is especially evident in Romania, where elections appear increasingly ineffective. He attributes the issue to the conflation of democracy with electoral marketing, rising public disengagement, and the inability of promised reforms to keep pace with expectations.

Writer and dissident Dorin Tudoran expands the analysis, introducing the concepts of “kakistocracy” – rule by the incompetent – and “certocracy” – rule by self‑proclaimed experts. He observes a proliferation of “părerologie,” a profession of opinion pundits, which he says dominates Romanian public discourse and further erodes substantive political debate.