Research needed on tipping points and reversal of erosions in democracy

Significance In the 21st century, democracy is more often threatened by elected presidents and prime ministers than by military coup-makers. What are the causes of this rise in democratic erosion? Cross-national statistical analysis points toward one robust finding: The more unequal income distribution is in a democracy, the more at risk it is of electing a power-aggrandizing and norm-shredding head of government. Even wealthy and longstanding democracies, like the United States, are vulnerable if they are highly unequal (though national wealth might provide some resiliency). Therefore, policies that improve income equality may have the political effect of strengthening democratic systems. Show more