Graphic detail | Drifting apart

A rift in democratic attitudes is opening up around the world

People from weak democracies are increasingly likely to support autocrats

IS DEMOCRACY ON the rise or in decline? Proponents of either claim could find supporting evidence in this week’s headlines. In Belarus and Thailand protesters are trying to topple draconian regimes. Meanwhile, the leader of the free world wants to restrict postal voting and China is rounding up dissidents in Hong Kong.

This article appeared in the Graphic detail section of the print edition under the headline “Drifting apart”

The aliens among us: How viruses shape the world

From the August 22nd 2020 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Graphic detail

A short history of Syria, in maps

The most influential people, groups and events that shaped Syria’s role in the Middle East

Is Javier Milei’s economic gamble working?

Inflation has plunged in Argentina, but some vital goods have soared in price


How to make sense of 2024’s wild temperatures

Our climate team highlight four charts and two maps


What New York’s congestion charge could teach the rest of America

Lighter traffic in some parts of the city is a promising start. Will it continue?

The secret to one of Europe’s best-performing stockmarkets

Its economy is mired in gloom, but its stock exchange is the envy of Europe

Drones spotted on America’s east coast highlight a bigger problem

Unidentified objects can be dangerous, but not in the ways you might think