Politics of Democratic Backsliding : Bureaucratic and Political Relationships in Emerging and Developing Countries

The elections of Boris Johnson in the UK and Donald Trump in the US, along with the authoritarian tendencies of some leaders in the Global South, have shaken the foundations of democracy. These leaders see democratic institutions as obstacles to populist ideas, sparking debates and disregard for democratic norms. Known as democratic backsliding, this concerning trend has grown since the late 20th century’s “third wave” of democratization, leading to a “culture of silence” where good governance has been undermined.

The Politics of Democratic Backsliding offers an epistemically diverse exploration of the changing roles of politicians and bureaucrats, examining their relationships and rules of engagement across various governance contexts. It equips scholars, practitioners, decision-makers, and students with a nuanced understanding of these complexities, while stimulating theoretical and practical strategies to promote meritocratic and politically neutral public services in emerging and developing countries. Chapters offer diverse perspectives, epistemologies, and methodologies, contributing to the discussion by theorizing conceptual elements, exploring essential methodological approaches, examining different regime types, political systems, and constitutions, and enhancing the researcher-practitioner exchange.

Essential to scholars, practitioners, decision-makers, and students, this edited collection provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities in the evolving roles of politicians and bureaucrats.