Democracy Is in ICU, and Trump’s Comeback Party Shows Why

Jibril Mohamed Ahmed, PhD candidate in International Relations at Selinus University, Italy.

Democracy is in the ICU, folks. It’s got a team of doctors scratching their heads, staring at the heart monitor, and asking, “Is it supposed to look like that?” If Donald Trump—or any populist leader with a knack for big promises and even bigger rallies—wins again, it could be more than a quirky electoral blip. It might be the sign of a much deeper trend, one that has democracy on the ropes, struggling to keep up in a world that’s lost patience for long speeches and committee meetings.

Think about it. Democracy has always been a little quirky, right? It’s slow. It’s messy. It’s like trying to build IKEA furniture with your extended family: everyone’s got an opinion, nobody’s reading the instructions, and it sometimes feels like you’d get there faster if just one person took charge. But for better or worse, democracy has worked because it’s supposed to reflect the voices of all citizens—giving everyone a say, even if that say comes with a lot of back-and-forth.

Lately, though, people seem ready to trade in the IKEA-group-project version of governance for something a bit more... direct. They want action. They’re tired of watching leaders shake hands across the aisle, waiting for compromise, and watching policies move at a pace that makes a snail look fast. So when Trump—or any populist leader worldwide—says they can get things done *their way*, people start leaning forward in their seats. It’s the political equivalent of binge-watching a show where one person does whatever they want. Is it good governance? Questionable. But it’s definitely entertaining.

And this isn’t just about Trump. All over the world, people are starting to vote for leaders who promise “quick fixes” over collaboration. Strongmen are making a comeback, from Turkey to Hungary to Brazil, with leaders who promise they’ll ignore all the pesky roadblocks of democracy and deliver what people want, fast. It’s a tempting offer—kind of like skipping leg day at the gym. It feels good now, but long-term, you’re missing out on a lot of muscle.

Why Is Democracy Losing Its Appeal?
1. The Trust Problem: Trusting the government these days feels like trusting a used-car salesman. You squint at the paperwork, ask a million questions, and still walk away thinking, “Did I just get scammed?” People are frustrated with politicians who seem more focused on their next election than actually fixing anything. The constant media scandals, partisan bickering, and failure to tackle big issues have left people deeply skeptical, and they’re ready to try just about anyone who promises to cut through the noise and “get things done.”

2. Economic Inequality: You don’t need a Ph.D. to see that inequality is on the rise. Wages are stagnant, costs are climbing, and a lot of people feel like they’ve been left behind while billionaires are buying their third super-yacht. Leaders like Trump have tapped into this, framing themselves as the champions of the “forgotten” working class, even if their policies sometimes tell a different story. People are mad, they’re struggling, and when someone comes along promising to shake things up and stick it to the elite, they’re ready to listen.

3. The Disinformation Free-for-All: Remember when facts mattered? Yeah, it feels like a while ago. Today, thanks to social media, misinformation spreads like wildfire, and everyone’s got their own “truth.” Leaders who can play the disinformation game well have a serious advantage. They don’t have to be right; they just have to sound confident. For populists, it’s a dream come true—they can rally their base, discredit their critics, and whip up emotions, all without pesky facts getting in the way.

4. Democratic Norms Are Flimsy: Here’s the kicker. For all the strengths of democratic systems, they’re surprisingly easy to bend—or even break. A few well-timed accusations of “fake news” here, a power-grab there, and suddenly the democratic process looks less like a safeguard of freedom and more like a system begging to be exploited. Leaders with authoritarian leanings can get away with a lot, especially when they’ve got a base that’s willing to look the other way.

The “Strongman” Appeal
It’s no wonder, then, that voters are increasingly drawn to strongmen, or at least those who promise to act like them. There’s something appealing about a leader who says, “I’ll handle it. No committees, no compromises, just results.” It’s the promise of a shortcut, of avoiding the red tape, of seeing a government that actually seems to do something. But that appeal comes with a catch. In the rush for “results,” the democratic process—the very thing that’s supposed to give people a say—gets pushed to the side. It’s like trading in your voice for a one-man show where someone else holds the mic.

But democracy doesn’t have to be boring. Maybe it’s due for a glow-up, a way to remind us why it matters. There’s a reason democracies are supposed to move a bit slowly. It’s not inefficiency for inefficiency’s sake; it’s about taking the time to hear everyone out, to make sure no single leader has unchecked power, and to ensure decisions are balanced, not reactionary.

Where Does This Leave Us?
The world might be at a tipping point. If democracy doesn’t find a way to keep up, to be a little faster, a little more responsive, we might see more people choosing the “strongman” route—and once democracy becomes an empty stage with a single microphone, there’s no guarantee that mic will be handed back.

Maybe it’s time for democratic systems to adapt, to meet people halfway, and to start tackling the issues that are pushing voters toward authoritarian-style leaders in the first place. The next chapter of democracy could go a lot of ways, but unless it finds a way to stay relevant, the future might look less like a lively debate and more like a lonely monologue.