Enough about democracy’s weaknesses. Let’s talk about its strengths.

Over the past few months, we have worried a great deal about the fragility of democracy. From the United States and Brazil to Sweden and Italy, the system seemed to be facing real challenges. In fact, in all of these cases, elections have had the effect of taming many of the most illiberal forces, and, at least for now, the center has held. Meanwhile, we are seeing signs of deep and structural weaknesses in some of the world’s most powerful autocracies.

The most striking example is China, where an extraordinary wave of protest is confronting the powers that be. At the heart of the problem is the unwillingness of the central government to change course on covid-19 policy. This is a problem inherent in dictatorships, where decision-making is closed, hierarchical and unaccountable. Unlike autocrats, democratic leaders face persistent pressure to change policy. There is loud and noisy criticism of the government. Outside experts and observers present alternative strategies. Leaders know they face elections, so if things aren’t working out, policies have to change — or else they will be changed.

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