Commentary: Strengthening democracy in an age of disruption

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 23, 2025

As democratic institutions worldwide face disinformation campaigns and rising authoritarianism, it’s clear that democracy is not a static achievement. It is a living system requiring constant care. Its survival depends on attention, participation, and adaptation.

This is especially true in an era where a wave of authoritarianism thrives on discontent, exploiting frustrations with stagnant institutions and sowing division through disinformation. Recent elections in the United States, Brazil (2022), and Romania (2024) — where foreign interference undermined public trust and forced the annulment of a presidential election — illustrate how disinformation fractures trust in institutions and destabilizes democracies. To counter this wave, we must do more than defend democracy; we must actively strengthen it.

A healthy democracy rests on three pillars: participation, transparency, and accountability. When these are weakened — when citizens feel unheard, when institutions become opaque, or when power goes unchecked — the structure of democracy begins to crumble. The erosion of trust and engagement destabilizes democracy’s foundation, weakening our defenses against authoritarians seizing power through sudden coups.

One of the greatest challenges today is rebuilding trust in democratic systems. Disinformation thrives in the absence of trust, where discredited institutions have failed to address people’s needs and concerns. Fact-checking alone isn’t enough; we must address the root causes of disillusionment by making our institutions more responsive and inclusive. This means tackling corruption, increasing transparency, and ensuring that public input leads to meaningful change. These challenges are not confined to any one nation; they reflect a global struggle to safeguard democracy from rising authoritarianism.

Democracy is more than voting every few years. It’s about having a voice in the decisions that shape our lives. From local councils to national assemblies, we must revitalize opportunities for civic engagement. When people feel empowered to participate and see tangible results from their efforts, trust grows, and democracy strengthens.

As someone who values the vibrant civic spirit of Vashon and Maury Islands, I believe our community can lead by example in fostering trust and engagement. I urge readers to take action: Attend local council meetings, support organizations championing transparency and justice, volunteer to assist vulnerable neighbors, advocate for reforms like campaign finance or election security, and work with others to hold elected officials accountable to the rule of law.

Democracy doesn’t sustain itself. It requires ongoing care and commitment from all of us. By working together to make democracy more adaptable and responsive, we can ensure its resilience against authoritarian threats and preserve it as a source of hope and strength for future generations.

JC Graham is a senior researcher at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families and the current president of the Vashon Community Council board.