In an era of unprecedented global political change, democracy has never been more at risk. This is especially true in the aftermath of a decade that has seen emboldened autocrats make dramatic headway while beleaguered democracies struggle to adapt to a series of exogenous crises. Whether these new challenges accelerate trends towards democratic decay or foster fundamental renovation depends on how state and society respond to them.

While the dominant narrative portrays a bleak picture for democracy, the reality is more nuanced. While three exogenous crises converge to boost the strength of authoritarian dynamics, they also fuel positive dynamic toward democracy. In fact, as these crises reshape national and global politics, they are transforming the nature of democracy itself.

Moreover, the roots of democracy’s current troubles lie elsewhere than in the failure to adapt to exogenous pressures. Rather, they stem from a crisis of civic virtue. This is the reason why attacks on capitalism—as some suggest—and even free enterprise fail to address the real problem. Instead, it is uncivil people supporting dark-triad leaders and commercial exploitation—a symptom of market failure akin to pollution or crime—that pose the greatest threat to democracy.

To better understand the nature of this emerging democratic crisis, Princeton Public Library staff are curating a series of three book lists—a general list, a specialized list on democracy and its future, and a list for the ongoing discussion of these issues by our Democracy Book Group. Through 2024, these lists will be continually updated with the most essential resources.