Democracy Under Threat: Navigating Disinformation and Digital Capitalism

As Donald Trump begins his second term as President, his immediate actions have ignited international controversy and renewed debates about the future of democracy in an age of digital transformation and global realignment.

Within hours of taking office, Trump signed executive orders targeting diversity programs in business and education, addressing prescription drug costs, and pivoting energy policy back toward fossil fuels. His administration has also made controversial territorial claims regarding Greenland and Venezuela, setting a confrontational tone for his presidency.

International criticism intensified following Trump’s January 2026 presidential memorandum confirming U.S. withdrawal from international organizations, conventions, and treaties deemed contrary to American interests. This dramatic shift in foreign policy has alarmed global observers and allies alike.

Political scientists have drawn parallels to warnings in books like “How Democracies Die” by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, and Barbara McQuade’s “Attack from Within.” These works describe how modern democracies typically collapse not through violent overthrow but via the manipulation of democratic norms in what amount to “silent coups.”

The digital revolution has fundamentally altered how societies handle information, cultural norms, and democratic processes. Social media platforms, digital communities, and transformed work environments have created profound societal divisions that challenge traditional democratic governance.

Disinformation threats have escalated dramatically with the advent of user-friendly artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. These technologies enable anyone to create convincing fake content without technical expertise, effectively democratizing propaganda capabilities for personal or political agendas.

As digital capitalism reshapes economic structures, wealth inequality continues to grow. Organizations like Oxfam have repeatedly called for EU-wide reforms including taxes on the super-rich and transparency mechanisms such as a European wealth register to fund social programs, climate initiatives, and development.

Christian Fuchs defines digital capitalism as the dimension of society “in which processes of capital accumulation, decision-making power, and reputation are mediated and organized through digital technologies,” encompassing digital labor, capital, means of production, and cultural elements.

The internet itself is fragmenting into what experts call “splinternets” as countries establish divergent regulations for digital platforms and services. This shift from an open, globally connected web to isolated national networks threatens digital solidarity in favor of technological sovereignty, where innovation equals geopolitical power.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has compiled essays examining these dynamics across regions from Thailand and Turkey to African nations. These analyses cover how local actors navigate the changing technological landscape, evolving methods of digital repression, debates over digital sovereignty, and pressing technology policy issues.

While some experts document democracy’s vulnerabilities, others like Nathan Gardels and Nicolas Berggruen of the Berggruen Institute propose solutions in their work “Renovating Democracy.” They identify three major challenges: social media’s impact on governance, digital capitalism’s effect on work and equality, and China’s challenge to a politically paralyzed West.

The authors highlight two paradoxical governance challenges. First, while participation in democracy has never been greater through social media, the need for institutions to establish facts, mediate compromises and build consensus has likewise increased. Second, as digital capitalism becomes more dynamic and disruptive, more robust safety nets and opportunity networks become essential.

China’s rise presents a particular challenge to Western democracies. Its consensus-driven, long-term approach under authoritarian rule has enabled it to maximize benefits from global trade while positioning itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence, climate leadership, and infrastructure development through initiatives like the Belt and Road.

To address these challenges, Gardels and Berggruen propose integrating social networks and direct democracy into representative government through new mediating institutions; revising the social contract to protect workers rather than jobs while distributing digital capitalism’s wealth more equitably; and embracing “positive nationalism” that balances inclusive values with clearly defined borders.

The path forward requires neither uncritical techno-optimism nor fatalism, but rather aligning digital technologies with democratic values and human rights principles. As societies navigate this complex transition, the future of democracy will depend on creating digital systems that support just, inclusive, and participatory societies.