Registration for the workshop on 27-28 April 22 is now open.

Workshop on ‘The UK – a case of democratic backsliding?’

Time: 2pm on 27 April until 5.45pm on 28 April 2022

The videos of the keynotes are now available here

This workshop discussed recent constitutional and political developments in the UK as a possible case of democratic backsliding. Democratic backsliding involves a retreat from values such as the rule of law and human rights in order to diminish pluralism and constrain criticism and opposition, thereby moving from democratic to autocratic rule. Governments engaged in democratic backsliding progressively undermine five components of democracy.

First, these governments diminish the fairness of elections and amend the constitution to entrench their own ideological preferences and minimise political competition.

Second, they attempt to subvert the independence of the judiciary by appointing only loyal supporters and re-organising the judicial system to favour the incumbent government.

Third, they undermine universal human rights protection and respect for legality.

Fourth, they corrode standards of conduct and accountability in public life.

Fifth, they diminish freedom of speech through control over media outlets, using legal measures to attack criticism of the government, and stifle political debate.

Until recently limited to post-communist states, these developments can now arguably be observed in the UK, raising concerns about the overall quality of democracy.

We hosted five high profile speakers to speak about and engage with different aspects of democratic backsliding:

Date: 18 March 2022