The Divorce of Democracy and Liberalism?

1.04.2026

The rise of the illiberal ‘alternative right’ throughout Europe, the reconfiguration of the traditional left – right political axis and the growing discontent with the state of liberal democracy – those are the starting points of the analysis prepared by Maciej Ruczaj for New Direction Foundation (ECR Group).

Rather than focusing on illiberalism as an isolated phenomenon, the essay focuses on the growing tension between the liberal and democratic elements of the Western political order. This tension has triggered a polarising shift on both sides of the new political divide, pushing them towards the extremes of illiberal democracy and undemocratic liberalism.

You can download the full essay here.