Backsliding Democracies – The Role of the Judiciary
Backsliding Democracies - The Role of the Judiciary
Podcast Description
Democracy under PressureAcross the globe, democracy is in crisis. Even longstanding democracies are showing autocratic tendencies. Independent courts are the last line of defense.What's driving this trend?Global challenges are fueling backsliding:Economic instability and social tensionsRising irregular migration and and social tensionsThe threat of war and conflict, etc.On the one hand, politicians are not taking the population's fears seriously, thereby promoting polarization and populism. On the other hand, governments are tightening control - often at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms.The Judiciary: Guardian, target or driver?In democracies, courts are meant to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights. But today, in many places, they're being manipulated - used to serve political interests and silence opposition. Beyond this instrumentalization, the judiciary also faces the growing risk of being seen as a driver of polarization in society.About the project«Backsliding Democracies - The Role of the Judiciary» is an initiative exploring these urgent questions. Through a series of free podcasts and online discussions, we aim to show were the root causes of the problems lie, what role the judiciary plays in these developments, and what could and should be done to stop them.Brought to you by«Volunteer Jurists», «Justice for the Rule of Law» and «Swiss Institute for the Judiciary»Further informationhttps://www.backslidingdemocracies.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on the crisis of democracy, the politicization of the judiciary, and fundamental rights, with episodes examining topics like the rise of authoritarianism, the manipulation of courts for political gain, and trends in judicial independence. Each episode features critical analysis, such as the recent examination of political attacks on judges and their implications for democracy.
Democracy under Pressure
Across the globe, democracy is in crisis. Even longstanding democracies are showing autocratic tendencies. Independent courts are the last line of defense.
What’s driving this trend?
Global challenges are fueling backsliding:
- Economic instability and social tensions
- Rising irregular migration and and social tensions
- The threat of war and conflict, etc.
On the one hand, politicians are not taking the population’s fears seriously, thereby promoting polarization and populism. On the other hand, governments are tightening control – often at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms.
The Judiciary: Guardian, target or driver?
In democracies, courts are meant to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights. But today, in many places, they’re being manipulated – used to serve political interests and silence opposition. Beyond this instrumentalization, the judiciary also faces the growing risk of being seen as a driver of polarization in society.
About the project
«Backsliding Democracies – The Role of the Judiciary» is an initiative exploring these urgent questions. Through a series of free podcasts and online discussions, we aim to show were the root causes of the problems lie, what role the judiciary plays in these developments, and what could and should be done to stop them.
Brought to you by
«Volunteer Jurists», «Justice for the Rule of Law» and «Swiss Institute for the Judiciary»
Further information
https://www.backslidingdemocracies.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Political attacks on the judiciary are on the rise in many parts of the world. These developments raise pressing questions: What are the root causes behind such attacks? To what extent do they form part of a broader strategy to weaken democratic checks and balances?
The episode examines current trends across different political systems, highlighting common patterns and context-specific dynamics. It also considers the intended objectives of political discourse directed against judges and court decisions, and outlines criteria for distinguishing between legitimate criticism of rulings and efforts to erode judicial independence.
Further attention is given to the options available to courts when responding to such attacks—seeking ways to preserve institutional integrity without appearing defensive or compromising impartiality. The broader implications for democracy and the rule of law are also explored.
Gordana Mijuk, head of the international desk at the NZZaS since 2017, is discussing with her guests, Prof. Tom Ginsburg, University of Chicago, and Prof. Wim Voeermans, Universiteit Leiden.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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