A stark new international poll has painted a concerning picture of public faith in democracy, revealing that satisfaction has plummeted across most Western nations, with the United Kingdom standing out as one of the most pessimistic countries.
A Landscape of Democratic Discontent
The extensive State of Democracy survey by Ipsos, which polled almost 10,000 people across nine countries, found that in eight of them, including the UK, satisfaction with how democracy is working has fallen below 50%. The study also revealed that majorities in all nations except one fear for the future of their democratic systems.
Gideon Skinner, the senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, commented on the troubling results, stating, “Despite strong support for democratic ideals across many countries, the public are clearly disappointed with how democracy is working in practice and worried about its future.” He noted that the data shows a rapidly growing concern in nations like the Netherlands and France, coupled with a powerful appetite for ‘radical change’ in nearly all countries surveyed.
By the Numbers: Deep-Seated Concerns in the UK and Beyond
The data reveals a profound level of dissatisfaction. In six countries, fewer than a third of respondents expressed satisfaction with their democracy. The UK sits firmly in this group, with a mere 26% of Britons stating they are satisfied. This places the UK among the most discontented, alongside Croatia (18%), France (19%), the US (20%), Spain (27%), and Italy (29%).
Sweden was the sole exception, where a healthy 65% majority reported satisfaction. Opinions were more divided in the Netherlands and Poland.
When asked about the last five years, the perspective was even grimmer. A majority of respondents in most countries felt democracy had deteriorated. This view was overwhelmingly held in France (81%) and the Netherlands (76%), but also by clear majorities in the UK (58%), the US (61%), and Spain (58%). Poland was the only country where more people felt things had improved (42%) rather than worsened (30%).
Looking ahead, anxiety is rampant. Large majorities in every country except Sweden are worried about the state of democracy in five years' time. This concern is highest in France (86%), Spain (80%), and shared by 75% of respondents in both the UK and Poland.
Threats and Potential Solutions
The poll identified four primary threats to democracy perceived by the public: fake news, lack of political accountability, extremism, and corruption.
Disinformation, or fake news, was seen as the most significant danger in several nations, including the UK (64%), the Netherlands (75%), and Poland (76%). Conversely, in the US and Southern European countries like Spain and Italy, corruption was identified as the top threat.
Despite this bleak outlook, the survey confirmed that support for the ideal of democracy remains robust, with clear majorities agreeing it is crucial to society and worth defending. However, this is matched by an equally strong desire for systemic overhaul. In the UK, 60% of people support radical change, a sentiment echoed in France (66%) and Croatia (69%).
When it comes to strengthening democracy, respondents pointed to several key solutions. These included enacting stronger anti-corruption laws, implementing more robust regulation of social media platforms, improving civic education, and protecting the independence of the judiciary.
The survey also highlighted a widespread belief that the political system is rigged in favour of the rich and powerful, rather than working for everyone. At the same time, and perhaps paradoxically, there was a clear preference in all countries for political leaders who focus on building consensus rather than fostering division.
