World Experiences "Democratic Recession" as Autocratic Rule Rises to 1980s Levels
A new report indicates the world is experiencing a "democratic recession," with approximately 72% of the global population now living under autocratic rule. This level has not been observed since the 1980s.
Human Rights Watch Sounds Alarm
Philippe Bolopion, executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), has declared that the system supporting human rights is "in peril." He characterized the growing authoritarian trend as "the challenge of a generation."
The system supporting human rights is "in peril." The growing authoritarian trend is "the challenge of a generation."
HRW's annual country-by-country assessment highlights 2025 as a "tipping point" for rights and freedoms in the United States. Bolopion noted that the Trump administration has actively challenged key elements of American democracy and the global rules-based international order.
He cited several specific examples, including Donald Trump's calls for nationalizing the US voting system and revelations concerning a $500 million investment into a Trump family cryptocurrency company from an Emirati royal family member.
Bolopion described these actions as:
"an organized, relentless, determined assault on all of the checks and balances designed to limit executive power and protect rights in US democracy."
Global Repercussions
Bolopion urged democracies, including the UK, the European Union, and Canada, to establish a strategic alliance. The purpose of such an alliance would be to maintain the rules-based international order, which he stated is threatened by Trump, Russia, and China.
HRW's report documents perceived attacks on the rights-based system during the Trump administration, including:
- Undermining trust in elections.
- Reducing government accountability.
- Attacking judicial independence.
- Defying court orders.
- Using government powers to intimidate political opponents, media, law firms, universities, civil society, and comedians.
- Attacks on free speech and deportations to countries where individuals may face torture.
Bolopion asserted that these actions, combined with ongoing efforts by Russia and China to weaken the global rules-based order, have significant global consequences, jeopardizing the human rights system. He quoted Trump as boasting about:
"not needing international law, only his 'own morality'."
UK and European Trends
HRW also reported that the British government "repeatedly undermined" rights in 2025. The Labour government's immigration approach was identified as contributing to mainstream anti-migrant rhetoric. The organization further criticized the UK's measures restricting the right to protest and its response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Bolopion warned that anti-migrant rhetoric represents a "dangerous trend for human rights" in the UK, France, Germany, and other European nations. He suggested that Trump's rhetoric, including claims of "civilisational erasure" in Europe and the use of "racist tropes" in the US, encourages this sentiment.
A Call for Action
The report indicates that the "democratic recession" predates the Trump administration. With democracy returning to 1985 levels globally, HRW views this, alongside the weakening of the rules-based order, as a "perfect storm" for human rights worldwide. The report's foreword states that Russia, China, and the United States are "less free today than 20 years ago."
Bolopion suggested that an alliance of rights-based democracies could become a "powerful force" and "substantial economic bloc." Such an alliance could provide incentives to counteract policies that have undermined multilateral trade governance and human rights. It could also form a strong voting bloc at the UN.
He emphasized the critical role of civil society in this period, stating:
"It is a challenging time but one for action, not for despair."
Bolopion cited public protests in Minneapolis against immigration officers, protests in Iran for political change, and Gen Z protests in Morocco over healthcare and education as sources of hope.