The Business Case for Saving Democracy

Democracy is in trouble. Recent survey data paints a sobering picture: Fifty-five percent of Americans say that their democracy is “weak,” and 68% fear it is getting weaker. Roughly half agree that America is in “real danger of becoming a nondemocratic, authoritarian country.” Further, many believe the system is rigged: Some 70% of Americans say that “Our political system seems to only be working for the insiders with money and power.” This is not just a U.S. phenomenon: Dissatisfaction with democracy has increased worldwide, with only 45% of people reporting that they are “satisfied with the way democracy is working in their country.”