Governance and Democracy in Times of Crisis

Crises—whether pandemics, natural disasters or economic shocks—place exceptional demands on political institutions and the norms that underpin democratic governance. Governments frequently invoke emergency powers to accelerate decision-making, yet such measures can constrain individual liberties, weaken legislative scrutiny and tilt the balance between executive and other branches of government. At the same time, robust democratic systems have demonstrated resilience by sustaining transparency, preserving accountability and engaging civil society in policy responses. Research in this field explores how different institutional designs—federal versus unitary systems, majoritarian versus consensus models—shape crisis management and democratic legitimacy. Indicators of democratic health, including the rule of law, separation of powers and parliamentary oversight, are analysed alongside outcomes such as public trust, policy effectiveness and protection of fundamental rights. Comparative work highlights that while some democracies have weathered shocks without lasting damage, others have experienced democratic backsliding or expanded executive authority that may persist beyond the crisis. Understanding these dynamics is key to reinforcing governance frameworks for future emergencies and safeguarding democratic norms under stress.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Governance and Democracy in Times of Crisis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in governance and democracy in times of crisis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Emergency powers: Special legal authorities granted to executives during crises, allowing expedited decision-making but often suspending normal checks and balances.

Democratic standards: Norms and principles—such as free elections, civil liberties and accountability—against which the quality of democratic governance is assessed, especially during emergencies.

Democratic backsliding: The gradual erosion of institutional checks, civil rights and pluralistic competition that weakens a democracy’s fundamental structures.

Parliamentary oversight: The capacity of legislatures to monitor, review and influence executive actions, ensuring transparency and accountability even under exceptional circumstances.

References

1. COVID-19 and democracy: a scoping review. BMC Public Health (2023).
2. Pandemic backsliding: Violations of democratic standards during Covid-19. Social Science & Medicine (2021).
3. Small Opposition Parties in a Westminster System: How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Participation, Decision-Making and Oversight in the UK House of Commons?. Political Studies Review (2024).