Reports and indicators confirm a steady rise in autocratisation, reversing the democratic gains of past decades. The expectation of a global liberal democratic order has given way to a reality in which authoritarianism is not only resurging but also embedding itself within democracies. Populist leaders increasingly employ autocratic tactics to erode institutions from within, while digital tools and transnational networks facilitate authoritarian consolidation on an unprecedented scale. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a democratic European country, by an authoritarian regime is just one symptom of this broader transformation.
This international conference brings together scholars, civil society actors, and experts to examine the workings of autocracy in the 21st century.
-How do authoritarian regimes sustain their grip on power, and why does autocratic governance continue to gain traction within established democracies?
-What role do social, psychological, and historical factors play in these trends?
Crucially, the focus is shifted from the problem to the response: how can democracies resist and counteract these tendencies effectively?
Panels will address a range of critical themes, including digital authoritarianism, the interplay between autocracy and gender equality, and the role of media literacy in resisting autocratic narratives. Discussions will also explore the tools available to democratic actors—governments, civil society organisations, media, and citizens—to counter autocratic reforms without resorting to anti-democratic measures themselves. Additionally, the conference will further examine how science skepticism and distrust in democratic institutions contribute to the autocratic appeal.