This is a momentous year. Throughout 2024, an unprecedented number of countries – over 80 – are holding elections, affecting more than half of the world’s population. Whether these elections can be properly described as democratic is an open question. This edition of Global Insight focuses attention on three parts of the world – Asia, Russia and the US – where obvious challenges to the rule of law and human rights suggest that the answer is an unequivocal and resounding ‘no’.

Our feature ‘The Great Repression’ draws attention to just how desperate the situation in Russia has become. Under Vladimir Putin’s regime, more than two decades of repressive laws designed to silence dissent had already done much to eradicate meaningful opposition. The deaths of those who dare to stand up to Putin appear to have finished the task – Yevgeny Prigozhin and Alexei Navalny are just two of the most recent and prominent examples. Another of Putin’s leading rivals, Vladimir Kara-Murza, remains in prison. His wife Evgenia describes the election as a ‘sham’ and says ‘no results can be seen as legitimate in such a process’. 

Turning to India, our feature ‘Asia’s undemocratic trend’ highlights the considerable concerns over the repression of minority rights and the government’s growing influence over the judiciary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course to win a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s election was tainted by allegations of ballot-rigging and intimidation, highlighting how democratic processes crumble when confronted with a crackdown on political opposition and civil society.

While we await news on the timing of the UK election from the government that illegally prorogued parliament – surely a nadir for British democracy – it is arguably the US presidential election that could do most to salvage or jeopardise the rule of law, not only in America but globally. Our feature ‘The authoritarian threat to America’ tracks the unfolding drama of Donald Trump simultaneously battling through the courts while edging closer to an electoral rematch with President Joe Biden. It seems emblematic of a year likely to prove pivotal for democracy and the rule of law – will it result in progress or further backsliding?

Whatever the outcome of each election, there’s clearly considerable hard work to be done to address the devastating effects of authoritarianism, populism, disinformation and the many other aspects of the ongoing assault on the rule of law. The legal profession has a significant part to play.