Preliminary considerations for a semantic-evolutionary study of the idea of democracy

Abstract

The idea of democracy is a product of social evolution. Enlightenment thought laid the groundwork for the birth of modern democracy. The nineteenth century is the era in which democratic ideals were consolidated; ideals that were later challenged during the first half of the twentieth century. The disastrous experiences of authoritarian regimes prompted a re-evaluation of democratic mechanisms after World War II, with particular attention given to safeguarding institutions and fundamental rights. In contemporary society, the rise of techno-economic oligarchies is reshaping the political landscape, calling into question the foundations of modern democracy.