Why Voters Support Politicians Who Undermine Democracy

Why do so many citizens continue to support politicians who undermine democracy? And why have nationalist appeals become such a powerful tool for democratic backsliding? In this episode of the People, Power, Politics podcast, Nic Cheeseman talks to Filip Milačić about his new book, Abandoning Democracy for the Nation (Cambridge UP, 2026). Drawing on evidence from Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Israel and Turkey, Milačić argues that democratic erosion is often driven not simply by populism or polarization, but by political leaders convincing citizens that the nation itself is under threat. The discussion explores why democratically minded voters sometimes accept attacks on democratic institutions, whether this argument travels beyond the cases in the book, and what lessons it offers for those seeking to defend democracy.

Transcript here

Guest:

Filip Milačić is a Senior Researcher for Democracy and Society at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Democracy of the Future officein Vienna, visiting professor at the Central European University and a Research Affiliate at CEU's Democracy Institute. His research focuses on nationalism, democratic backsliding and resistance, political identity and party politics, with a particular emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He is the author of Abandoning Democracy for the Nation, a new book exploring the relationship between nationalism and democratic erosion. Through his academic research and policy work, Milačić examines the forces shaping the future of democracy and the challenges facing democratic societies today.

Presenter:

Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR.

The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham!

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