Rising Polarization: Challenges to Democratic Governance and Sustainability

Democratic governance worldwide is increasingly threatened by the rise of polarized regimes, which pose significant challenges to both free market dynamics and sustainable development goals (SDGs). These evolving threats are evident as far-right ideologies gain influence within democratic societies, leading to shifts in political and administrative objectives that potentially hinder sustainable growth and societal well-being. Research indicates that polarization can detract from the liberal administrative and judiciaries' effectiveness, thereby compromising a country's ability to fulfill its SDG commitments. Ongoing debates highlight the necessity of democracies to foster inclusive sustainable development by placing importance on environmental protection, minority rights, and indigenous rights. By supporting pluralism, democracies can potentially uplift marginalized groups and advance sustainable development.

This Research Topic aims to gather insights on how the current political climate, characterized by ideological polarization and far-right influences, affects democratic governance and sustainable development. The objective is to explore the intersection of innovation, governance, ideology, and legal systems under these circumstances. Through comparative analyses and case studies, this research aims to elucidate the contemporary challenges that democracies face and the potential actions required to address them.

To gain further insights into the challenges faced by democracy and administration in this context, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Democracy, polarization, and governance
• Religious legal systems and human rights violations
• Impact on free markets and emergence of crony capitalism
• Trade wars, protectionism, and globalisation effects
• Neoliberalism and global climate change response=
• Corporate social responsibility, innovation, and SDGs in a global context
• Land use, land reforms, and SDGs in the Global South
• Electoral fraud and vulnerabilities of electronic voting systems
• Liberal legal systems' role in achieving SDGs
• Inclusiveness and sustainable development goals

We welcome submissions including original research articles, review pieces, theoretical explorations, and analyses of the aforementioned themes.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: democratic governance, political polarization, sustainable development, far-right influence, institutional effectiveness, inclusiveness

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.