“Autocrats are bold and unapologetic. Are we equally outspoken in our pride for democracy?” With this question, Tijmen Rooseboom, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), set the tone for an evening of reflection and debate during the latest edition of Democracy Drinks in The Hague, hosted by HiiL and moderated by our colleague Anne Colenbrander.
The conversation comes at a time when democracy is under significant strain. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index, 2024 marked democracy’s lowest point since 2006. Despite half of the world’s population heading to the polls, out of 167 countries assessed, 130 either regressed or stagnated. Today, only 45 percent of people live under democratic governance, while 40 percent live under authoritarian rule. Against this backdrop, the panel, Tijmen Rooseboom (NIMD), Bas Bijlsma (Democratie Monitor), and Hugo Knoppert (Kukura Organics), explored the realities of democratic decline, the impact on societies, and the actions that can be taken to reverse the trend.
Shrinking Civic Space
Rooseboom highlighted how democratic erosion is often subtle but relentless: “We see the same pattern worldwide — restrictions on opposition parties, curbs on NGOs, and harassment of minorities, women’s groups, and LGBTQI+ organizations. Step by step, civic space is closed off.” Even so, authoritarian regimes rarely abandon the democratic label. “They still hold elections, still speak of transitions. Democracy is a powerful aspiration, even for those who undermine it,” he noted. For Rooseboom, this contradiction is a call to action:
“If democracy remains the most desired system of governance, then why are its defenders often too modest?”
Lessons from Home
Looking closer to home, Bas Bijlsma brought insights from the Democratie Monitor, which tracks the state of Dutch democracy through 45 indicators. In June, their findings showed 18 indicators in the red — including rising intimidation of journalists and politicians. “Erosion is not something that only happens elsewhere,” Bijlsma stressed.
“In the Netherlands, we see unconstitutional proposals entering mainstream debate and polarisation fueling distrust. Our democracy is resilient, but not immune.”
At the same time, he emphasised the importance of perspective: “Despair can be dangerous. We must remain vigilant without giving into fatalism. Democracy has always been a system under pressure, but it is also one that can adapt and renew.”
The Role of Business
The conversation then turned to the role of the private sector. Hugo Knoppert, co-founder of Kukura Organics in Zimbabwe, shared how political instability directly affects livelihoods. His social enterprise partners with over 500 women farmers to cultivate indigenous crops such as the Kalahari melon, with a clear focus on empowerment rather than quick profit. “We do a lot of things that don’t make sense from a business perspective,” Knoppert acknowledged, noting that their decentralized approach means they “can never compete on price” with larger competitors. Yet the impact of Kukura’s work is transformative: women once dismissed as “useless” now generate income, send their children to school, and organise collectively. “When women farmers thrive, communities thrive,” Knoppert reflected. “That’s democracy in practice—people gaining agency and dignity in their everyday lives. This is how we create both monetary and social profit”
Building Collective Resilience
What emerged from the discussion was clear: democratic decline is real, but not irreversible. The panelists underscored three urgent imperatives:
- Reclaim the narrative – Democracy’s defenders must be as bold as its critics, openly affirming its values and successes.
- Strengthen solidarity – Civil society, business, and citizens must act together when freedoms are threatened.
- Engage locally – Democracy is not abstract; it lives in communities, workplaces, and daily interactions.
The evening concluded with a call to collective action. As part of the Democracy & Rule of Law Collective, HiiL joins a diverse network of professionals and organisations working together to promote secure, just, and resilient societies. The Collective provides space for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of perspectives, because democracy cannot be defended in isolation. “It is time for proactive engagement for new ideas and collaborations that don’t just defend democracy,” moderator Anne Colenbrander reminded the room. “We have to reimagine it and strengthen the very frameworks of democracy and justice.” At HiiL, we believe justice and democracy go hand in hand. By making the law accessible, strengthening institutions, and supporting people in preventing and resolving their justice problems, we contribute to the very foundations on which democracy rests.
