’A growing number of citizens is immune to the authoritarian virus’

Is an authoritarian virus going around, damaging our democracy? Many fear so, due to the erosion of democratic values, the rise of authoritarian politicians and the resurgence of the extreme right. Political scientist Sjifra de Leeuw has an optimistic message. When citizens come into contact with the authoritarian virus, the majority develops immunity over the course of time. Sjifra de Leeuw will receive her doctorate at the University of Amsterdam on 12 February. Academics, politicians and citizens are sounding the alarm about the erosion of democracy. Democratic values are declining, democratic institutions weakening and ever more leaders all over the world are showing authoritarian traits. Just like virologists, political scientists are researching how the authoritarian virus is spreading and how it influences people in their political views.