Section Article

Populism and the Crisis of Liberal Democracy: A Global Perspective
Author(s): Jyoti Yadav

Abstract
The twenty-first century has witnessed a global surge in populist movements and leaders posing profound challenges to the norms and institutions of liberal democracy. Populism characterized by the dichotomous division of society into the ‘pure people’ versus the ‘corrupt elite’ has emerged across diverse political contexts—from consolidated democracies to hybrid regimes. This paper explores the conceptual roots of populism the socio-economic and cultural forces propelling its rise and its implications for liberal democratic values institutions and global governance. Drawing on a comparative analysis of populist trajectories in the United States Brazil Hungary and India the study evaluates how populist politics reconfigure state-citizen relationships erode institutional checks and balances and foster majoritarian nationalism. It concludes by assessing potential responses and strategies for democratic renewal arguing that defending liberal democracy requires a multidimensional approach combining political reform civic engagement and socio-economic inclusion.