Happy 2026! I asked Copilot a question that simply had as its premise what the signs are that signals Democracy is in decline. What are the signs and signals that democracy is in decline? From Copilot here is an answer. Here’s a clear, evidence‑based breakdown of the signs and signals that democracy is in decline , grounded in the sources we retrieved and organized so you can see the patterns emerging across countries. 🌍 What the research shows Multiple global analyses indicate that democracy has been weakening in recent years . Scholars describe this as a “reverse wave,” where more countries are moving toward autocracy than toward democracy cpsblog.isr.umich.edu . Below are the most commonly observed warning signs. ⚠️ Key Signs of Democratic Decline Each item is highlighted so you can dig deeper if you want. Erosion of democratic rights — measurable reductions in civil liberties, free expression, and political participation have been documented globally. Manipulation of e...