Increasingly, people see voting as a waste of time, choosing to stay away from the ballot box. The last general election recorded one of the lowest turnouts since the introduction of universal suffrage, especially amongst younger voters. This raises an uncomfortable question: how democratic is a system when only 60% of the electorate shows up to vote?

In response, some are turning to alternative democratic models such as citizens’ assemblies and sortition - systems that replace professional politicians with randomly selected citizens. Advocates argue these approaches reduce partisanship, increase inclusivity, and offer a truer reflection of society. But can these models deliver the speed, accountability, and legitimacy modern societies require?

Meanwhile, around the globe, democratic backsliding is on the rise. From Russia and Turkey to India and El Salvador, elected autocrats are consolidating power by weakening courts, undermining the press, and manipulating elections to provide a veneer of legitimacy for regimes that no longer respect democratic norms.

How democratic is a democracy without meaningful participation? How do we rebuild public trust and reinvigorate civic engagement? As the world teeters between democracy and authoritarianism, should we rethink what democracy really means? Could systems without elections be more representative?