At the same time democratic backsliding [1] occurs in cycles. We're probably not at a low point, but that doesn't mean it's permanent.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_backsliding

This index uses the word “democracy” when it really means “liberalism.” In an amazing use of doublespeak, most of this index is focused on liberal checks on democracy, not democracy itself.

Under a proper understanding of “democracy,” the massive backsliding happened in the 20th century. In Europe, with the advent of the EU, which shifted power away from voters to unelected bureaucracies seated in foreign countries. Or in the U.S. in the mid-20th century when vast power was delegated from the elected President and Congress to an unelected administrative state.