Lelio Demichelis on the Unsustainable Nature of Modern Democracy

In an article published on doppiozero.com, Lelio Demichelis examines the current state of modern democracy, arguing that it is in poor health. He notes that democracy has always been self-reflective, but the current crisis is marked by phenomena such as populism, sovereignism, reaction, fascism, and neoliberalism, with figures like Peter Thiel and Donald Trump embodying these trends. Demichelis suggests that society may be experiencing a renewed fatigue with democracy, participation, and responsibility, which are synonymous with freedom and politics. He draws parallels to Erich Fromm's concept of 'escape from freedom' and Carlo Levi's 'fear of freedom,' indicating a collective desire to delegate political power to authoritarian, anti-political personalities. The article, titled 'La democrazia insostenibile' (The Unsustainable Democracy), was published on March 1, 2026, and reflects on the historical and philosophical dimensions of democratic decline. Demichelis questions whether the search for such leaders is an attempt to avoid the burden of thinking and decision-making. The piece contributes to ongoing debates about the fragility of democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarian tendencies in contemporary politics.