Introduction: Why Rising Authoritarianism Is the Fight of Our Time
Authoritarianism is no longer a relic of the past. Across the globe, in democracies old and new, we’re witnessing a powerful wave of rising authoritarianism—marked by attacks on free speech, executive overreach, and the erosion of civil liberties. What used to be seen only in history books or faraway regimes is now unfolding in front of our eyes—in the halls of power, in digital spaces, and on the streets.
But this isn’t just about politics. Rising authoritarianism threatens the very core of human freedom, dignity, and justice. Whether you’re a student, a voter, or a business leader, this is your fight too.
In this blog, we’ll explore what authoritarianism looks like today, what signs to watch for, what global experts are saying, and how we can push back—before it’s too late.
What Is Rising Authoritarianism?
At its core, authoritarianism is a political system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few—often a single leader or a ruling elite—while checks and balances, democratic processes, and personal freedoms are systematically dismantled.
In 2025, this is no longer a hypothetical threat. According to the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project, authoritarian regimes now outnumber democracies worldwide. Meanwhile, Freedom House reports that global freedom has declined for the 18th consecutive year.
Signs of Rising Authoritarianism in Today’s World
1. Attacks on Press & Free Speech
In authoritarian settings, the media becomes the first casualty. Leaders label journalists as “enemies of the people,” delegitimize reporting, or outright control what gets published.
In the U.S., former President Trump’s repeated attacks on the press and praise for authoritarian rulers have shifted public sentiment dangerously close to press mistrust. According to Vanity Fair, Trump even pushed the Justice Department to prosecute journalists during his term—a hallmark of authoritarian ambition.
2. Executive Overreach & Populist Power Grabs
Populist leaders often come to power promising to represent “the people” against corrupt elites. But once in office, they tend to centralize authority and erode democratic institutions.
The Project 2025 agenda, spearheaded by conservative think tanks in the U.S., has been widely criticized for advocating expansive presidential power—weakening independent agencies, stacking the civil service, and removing institutional checks.
As per a Financial Times report, populist regimes reduce GDP by 10% over 15 years due to weakened institutions.
3. The Techno-Authoritarian Playbook
Modern authoritarian regimes don’t need to storm parliaments—they can dominate through data. Nations like China and Russia are pioneering techno-authoritarianism: using artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and digital surveillance to monitor dissent.
Even in democracies, there’s growing concern around misuse of AI-driven disinformation campaigns and biometric data collection. Read more in our blog: “AI and Ethics in the Age of Surveillance”
4. Global Backsliding: From South Asia to Eastern Europe
The trend isn’t isolated:
- India, under the BJP, has seen growing press restrictions, minority suppression, and rising religious polarization (Freedom House).
- Indonesia’s democratic institutions are under attack as military influence resurges.
- In Serbia, Turkey, and Hungary, democratic freedoms have been rolled back as strongmen tighten their grip.
The Anti-Fascist Academics’ Manifesto: A Global Alarm Bell
On June 13, 2025, over 400 prominent scholars—including Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners—issued a powerful open letter warning of rising authoritarianism in the U.S. and beyond.
As reported by The Washington Post, the manifesto calls out growing fascist tendencies in political rhetoric, policy proposals, and institutional erosion.
“We write because we are terrified for democracy,” the letter states.
This declaration marks a rare moment of global academic solidarity, echoing past resistance to authoritarianism seen during the 1930s and 40s.
What’s at Stake: The Consequences of Rising Authoritarianism
The risks are not hypothetical—they’re devastating and real.
1. Economic Instability
As highlighted earlier, populist regimes reduce long-term GDP. Foreign investments decline, corruption rises, and poverty worsens.
2. Loss of Civil Liberties
From freedom of speech to bodily autonomy, authoritarian governments often rule by fear and coercion.
3. Suppression of Minorities
Ethnic, religious, and gender minorities are often the first to suffer. Minority Rights Group has documented growing violence and discrimination under authoritarian regimes.
4. Erosion of Trust
When institutions are delegitimized, it becomes harder for people to believe in the rule of law, democratic processes, or even their neighbors.
Can Democracies Fight Back? Yes—and Here’s How
Deepak Bhargava, a civil resistance expert, outlines a new protest strategy for the 21st century in The Guardian:
Disrupt. De-legitimize. Draw Defectors.
- Disrupt business-as-usual with peaceful protests and digital campaigns.
- De-legitimize authoritarian narratives through facts, storytelling, and satire.
- Draw defectors from the establishment who still believe in democratic values.
Meanwhile, global pro-democracy networks are emerging—from youth-led digital movements to cross-border coalitions backed by NGOs like Freedom House.
What You Can Do: 6 Action Steps to Defend Democracy
- Stay Informed – Follow non-partisan news. Subscribe to independent media.
- Engage Locally – Attend town halls, vote, and support local watchdog organizations.
- Support Press Freedom – Fund or share investigative journalism platforms.
- Practice Digital Literacy – Learn to identify fake news and AI-generated propaganda.
- Build Solidarity – Talk to people across ideologies; seek common ground.
- Resist Complacency – Authoritarianism thrives when the majority stays silent.
Conclusion: This Is Not a Drill
The rise of authoritarianism is not just a foreign problem or a political footnote. It’s a present danger—one that threatens freedom, dignity, and the global order.
The good news? Every time in history authoritarianism has risen, people have risen higher.
Let this be the moment we choose awareness over apathy, unity over division, and courage over silence.
Let’s defend democracy—while we still can.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is authoritarianism in simple terms?
Authoritarianism is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, and people have limited freedoms. In such regimes, there are fewer checks and balances, limited press freedom, and restricted civil liberties.
2. What does “rising authoritarianism” mean today?
Rising authoritarianism refers to the global trend of democratically elected leaders and political systems slowly adopting authoritarian practices—such as censoring the media, weakening the judiciary, or manipulating elections—while still claiming to be democratic.
3. Which countries are experiencing rising authoritarianism in 2025?
In 2025, countries like India, Turkey, Hungary, Indonesia, Brazil, and even parts of the United States are showing signs of rising authoritarianism, including executive overreach, media suppression, and increased surveillance.
4. How does authoritarianism impact everyday people?
Authoritarianism affects daily life by restricting freedom of expression, reducing transparency, limiting access to unbiased news, and often targeting minorities or dissenters. Over time, this leads to economic instability, inequality, and fear-based governance.
5. What is the difference between authoritarianism and fascism?
Fascism is a more extreme form of authoritarianism that often includes nationalism, suppression of opposition, and sometimes violent enforcement. All fascists are authoritarian, but not all authoritarian regimes are fascist.
6. How can people resist rising authoritarianism peacefully?
People can resist through civic engagement, voting, supporting press freedom, peaceful protests, and raising awareness. As Deepak Bhargava suggests, strategies like “Disrupt, De-legitimize, Draw Defectors” are effective in nonviolent resistance.
7. What role does technology play in authoritarianism?
Technology can be a double-edged sword. While it enables free expression, it also empowers authoritarian regimes to monitor, manipulate, and silence citizens using AI surveillance, facial recognition, and disinformation campaigns.
8. Can democracies recover from authoritarian backsliding?
Yes—history shows that democratic values can be restored with sustained public pressure, international support, strong institutions, and grassroots activism. Awareness, education, and unity are key.