Summary:
- Democratic recession is on the increase and citizens are growing impatient with the failure of democracy to deliver as intended.
- At the same time, citizens feel that democracy is the only viable form of government and youth argue that there is no suitable alternative.
- Civil society has an important role to play in reversing democratic decline, especially if civil society organisations can work together across borders to improve governance in their regions.
- There are several such cross-border networks in Africa and elsewhere. These could be used as examples for forging cross-border civil society alliances in Southern Africa and promoting democracy.
- As long as citizens continue to believe in democracy there is hope that they will push, through civil society, for greater accountability and a deepening of democratic values.
