The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria

The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad by Fareed Zakaria challenges the conventional wisdom that democracy is the only path to freedom and liberty. Through a sweeping historical perspective on the ups and downs of democracy’s track record in the past, Fareed Zakaria begs readers to be mindful of the wrong turns that democracies have taken – away from liberty and into increasingly illiberal systems. Individuals should be vigilant to guard against the steady erosion of freedom in favor of the rising illiberalism.

In his book, Fareed Zakaria argues that the modern age of democracies has seen the rise of an illiberal form of democracy, particularly in countries like China, Russia, India, and the US, where concerted efforts have diminished the power of citizens and favored a centralized form of control. This illiberal democracy model relies heavily on public opinion and political control rather than on traditional democratic institutions. He suggests that individuals need to be wary of the laws and regulations that can erode freedom as governments in democracies can concentrate power and authority in the hands of a few.

Fareed Zakaria sees the illiberal democracy trend as a result of a failure to adhere to the “rules of the game” that are essential for liberty to prevail. He argues that the primary cause of this failure is the lack of an independent judiciary, the lack of a free press, and the absence of an effective two-party system of checks and balances. These omissions create a vacuum of power that is easily exploited by despots and dictators. As a result, citizens’ rights can be violated and ignored, leading to a cycle of diminishing liberty.

Zakaria states that individuals should be cognizant of the potential pitfalls of democracy. He argues that democracies must seek to balance the preservation of freedom and liberty with the need for centralization in order to function effectively. He believes that when done correctly, democracies can enable the public to have a say in the running of their nation, creating a system of checks and balances that puts an end to illiberal democracy and perpetuates a greater level of freedom and liberty.

As Zakaria delves further into the complex history of democracy, he also calls for an end to partisan politics, states that have become overly centralized, and an end to the demonization of immigration and those with differing political beliefs. He believes that these issues can lead to destabilization and a rise in illiberal democracy. Lastly, he hopes that citizens in democracies will be mindful and work to actively guard against their erosion of freedom and preserve the traditional exercise of civil and political liberties.

Fareed Zakaria’s work serves as a call to action and a reminder of the fragility of liberty and democracy. His historical approach to the subject of illiberal democracy at home and abroad is a must-read for citizens with an interest in guarding against the steady erosion of freedom that comes with a shift to illiberal democracy. As democracies look to the future, Fareed Zakaria’s The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad is a crucial text for all those interested in preserving freedom and liberty.