Donald Trump’s clear-cut victory in the United States is no isolated incident; it represents a powerful wave of populism that is eroding the very foundations of democracy in the Global North.
Across advanced economies, disillusionment with liberal democracy has intensified. Citizens are increasingly skeptical that their governments serve their interests or respond to their needs, echoing a broader crisis of faith in democracy. This shift challenges the essential principles that underpin the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16: building the strong, inclusive, and accountable institutions that are needed for a more sustainable future.
In democracies across the Global North, GlobeScan research reveals that the majority of citizens no longer believe that the will of the people governs their country. In countries such as South Korea (60%), the USA (58%), Spain (55%), the UK (55%), and France (53%), high levels of skepticism reflect a profound disconnection between citizens and their political institutions, well above the global average of 40 percent. This disillusionment provides fertile ground for populist leaders who claim to represent the true voice of the people.
The contrast with the Global South is telling. Countries such as China (10%), Vietnam (15%), India (16%), Saudi Arabia (20%), and Egypt (20%) report lower levels of skepticism regarding government representation. While the findings reflect different governance models, including authoritarianism, they highlight a deep and unique crisis within advanced democracies – a crisis that risks undermining the global commitment to peace, justice, and inclusive institutions as enshrined in UN SDG 16.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This research paints a stark picture of a world where faith in democratic governance is faltering. Donald Trump’s victory is a clear indicator of how populist movements can both exploit and accelerate public disillusionment with democratic norms. When citizens no longer believe in the integrity of democratic institutions, those institutions lose the capacity to enact robust policies that reflect the public good – policies that are essential to sustainable development and social cohesion.
To counter this, countries must take urgent steps to rebuild public confidence and recommit to democratic norms, transparency, and inclusivity – values that are central to SDG 16 and indispensable for global sustainability.
The stakes could not be higher. As populism gains ground, the very fabric of democracy in the Global North is fraying. This is more than a crisis of politics; it is a crisis of governance that will shape the trajectory of sustainability, global stability, and human rights for generations to come.
Based on a largely representative online survey of over 30,000 people across 31 countries and territories, Radar draws upon GlobeScan’s unique database of over two decades of polling public opinion about people’s outlook toward societal actors and the issues affecting them.
Survey Question: Would you say that this country is governed by the will of the people?
Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 30,216 people in the general public in July ‒ August 2024)
