In many parts of the world, democratic values and institutions are being eroded, while autocrats and ‘strongmen’ are gaining power in democratic nations, and consolidating it in autocratic ones. This panel talk dissects the causes and consequences of these alarming trends, examining case studies from multiple regions, as well as cross-cutting themes such as the role of disinformation, populism and polarization. What can be done to protect against these forces? And what are the prospects for reversing the decline of democracy and the advance of autocracy?