INTRODUCTION: Problematizing Rise of Autocracy and Its Consequences for Sustainable Future

The increasing rollback of international democracy and the rise of autocracy underscore the importance of analyzing these trends and their impact on a sustainable future. While there is considerable research on democratic backsliding, we have less understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the global surge in autocracy. Revising the debate on the rise of autocracy is vital to restraining democratic backsliding, counterbalancing the worldwide upsurge of autocracy, and controlling the outcomes of these changes. This three-section book offers such explanations, revitalizing discourse on democracy backsliding and the global rise of autocracy. It also reminds us of autocrats’ threat to democracies worldwide, reminiscent of the battle of freedom versus tyranny. By examining the various pathways that lead to the regression of democracies and the rise and spread of autocracies, the book emphasizes the need for a collective effort to address these issues. It contributes to the ongoing discussions on the global increase in autocracies and declining democracies, as well as the impact of these trends on the global response to climate change.