Almost all executives agree that a well-functioning democracy is important to a strong economy. But many are unsure about what role they can play in supporting it. The authors suggest four actions: Defend democratic institutions and processes; support independent civil society organizations without exercising undue influence; limit forms of political influence that are not aligned with democratic principles; and foster democratic practices within their organizations. Democracy is in decline across the world. More countries are experiencing erosion of political rights and civil liberties than gains, according to Freedom House. As of 2025, 92 countries, representing 74% of the world's population, were classified as autocracies by the V-Dem Institute. Democratic backsliding is a primary concern for business leaders, who largely agree on the importance of strong democratic institutions. In a 2022 survey by Morning Consult and the Business and Democracy Initiative, 96% of executives said...
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