Nick Spencer speaks with former senior judge Lord Jonathan Sumption. 10/06/2025

The UK has one of highest levels of dissatisfaction with democracy in the world, though other Western countries aren’t far behind. Hopes that the rest of the world would naturally follow the West and democratise have all but evaporated. 

How serious is this decline in democratic sympathy? What lies behind it? What are the deep foundations on which democracy rests? And what, if anything, can be done about it? 

This week, Nick Spencer talks with Jonathan Sumption about his book ‘The Challenges of Democracy: And The Rule of Law’. 

Tune in to the episode here.

Interested in this? Share it on social media. 

Join our monthly e–newsletter to keep up to date with our latest research and events. And check out our Supporter Programme to find out how you can help our work.