HISTORY UNENDED.

The article discusses the decline of democracy since the early 2000s, highlighting a phenomenon termed the "democratic recession," where countries moving away from democratic governance have outnumbered those adopting it. It references Francis Fukuyama's concept of "the end of history," suggesting that the fall of communism led to a global consensus on democracy, which has since been undermined by internal factors such as weakened rule of law, diminished free speech, and corrupt elections. The rise of soft fascism, characterized by ultra-nationalism and xenophobia, is attributed to reactions against immigration and a nostalgic longing for past national identities. The article emphasizes the importance of civic education and active participation in democracy as essential tools for preserving liberty. [Extracted from the article]