Concept Note
In the early 21st century, the global democratic landscape has become a profound paradox. While democracy remains a dominant aspirational political model, its foundations are under severe strain. The triumphalist “End of History” narrative has been replaced by an era of uncertainty, characterized by both the persistent demand for democratic governance and the alarming rise of democratic backsliding, and also characterised by the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and ambiguous) world. This IAPSS Research Seminar, therefore titled as: “Democracy, Democratizing, and Democratic Backsliding,” seeks to critically interrogate this paradox. It aims to move beyond simplistic diagnoses and explore the complex, interconnected processes that define the current state of democracy worldwide.

Further, the third wave of democratization has crested, and a “third wave of autocratization” is now underway. Established democracies are witnessing the erosion of institutional norms, the rise of illiberal populism, and the deliberate weakening of checks and balances. Simultaneously, processes of democratization in transitional states have often stalled, hybridized, or reversed. This seminar is envisioned to focus on the necessity to dissect these concurrent trends of Democracy. It posits that understanding backsliding is impossible without a nuanced appreciation of the ongoing, contested processes of democratization, and vice versa. By examining these phenomena together, we can develop a more dynamic and comprehensive understanding of the global struggle for popular sovereignty.

Key Themes
The seminar will be structured around three core, interlinked themes:
(1) Conceptualizing and Diagnosing Democratic Backsliding: How do we define and measure democratic backsliding? Is it a slow, incremental erosion or a rapid, constitutional coup? This theme will explore the role of elected incumbents in undermining democracy, the tactics used (e.g., executive
aggrandizement, strategic election manipulation, disinformation), and the challenges of early detection and response.
(2) (Re)Democratizing in an Age of Cynicism: In contexts of backsliding or authoritarian persistence, what are the pathways to (re)democratization? This theme will investigate the resilience of civil society, the role of social movements and protest, the challenges of constitutional and institutional reform, and the potential for democratic renewal from within compromised systems.
(3) The Transnational Dynamics of Democratic Flux: Democracy is no longer a purely domestic affair. This theme will analyze the international dimensions, including the role of authoritarian diffusion and “sharp power,” the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of international democracy promotion, and the impact of global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality on democratic stability.

Abstract Guidelines
Herein are the guidelines for an abstract for the proposed research article presentation:
(1) The proposed abstract should be between 250 – 400 words.
(2) Abstract must be followed by key words, with a maximum of 5 and a minimum of 3 keywords.
(3) Only articles should be submitted through this Google Form will be accepted.
International Association for Political Science Students
Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Politiques
Annual Research Seminar/Academic Convention 2026
“Democracy, Democratization, and Democratic Backsliding”
(4) An automated copy of the summitted Google form will be sent to the registered email address.
(5) Abstract proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis; all acceptances shall be duly notified by 20 January 2026 EOD.
(6) Decision to accept or reject abstracts shall reside with the Board of Reviewers and is binding.
(7) Due to the expected volume of submissions, no personalized review for rejected abstract proposals shall be provided.
(8) Date, timing and panel distribution for presentation shall b provided in due course.
(9) All presentations will be held virtually, over Zoom.
(10) In case you are unable to access the Google Form, kindly contact via mail at academicproject@iapss.org.
(11) There are no fees for submission. If accepted, you will be invited for a nominal payment as laid below, in accordance to your country of residence:
Group 1: $18
Group 2: $12
Group 3: $8
Free for Volunteers and Active IAPSS members.
Kindly find your country of residence on the IAPSS website to determine what the payable amount.
(12) Deadline for submission of abstracts is 13 January 2026.