Thinking Democratically: A Comprehensive Approach to Countering and Preventing Shrinking Space

3.
Main Actors
The picture that emerges from the case studies show that democratic space is not simply closed by
those in power and defended by opposition and civil society. In reality, a variety of actors play
multiple roles in the defending and attacking of democratic space. Some unexpected actors were
criminal groups and business elites, for instance, who hold considerable power over democratic space
– particularly when they have close ties with political elites. In addition, the case studies shed light
on the multiple and ambiguous roles of political parties. In certain circumstances, opposition parties
would defend democratic space, whereas in other circumstances even opposition parties closed space
for contestation. In all cases, civil society – in and of themselves a heterogenous group – are on the
frontline of the battle for democratic space, with varying degrees of success. This points to the need
for a comprehensive understanding of democratic space, where coalitions for change are mobilised
on a case-by-case basis.
3.1 Political parties’ contested role
Political parties play a dual role in the closing of democratic space. On the one hand, political parties
can be the ones actively or passively shrinking democratic space. In a number of the cases under
examination, both ruling and opposition parties were either pro-actively and directly changing the
rules of the game for their own benefit, or passively and indirectly safeguarding a closing, corrupted
system. On the other hand, opposition parties are at times also the ones widening the space for
contestation and standing up for civic freedoms. Looking into the incentives for such behaviour sheds
light on some of the underlying dynamics to political parties’ dual role in the closing space for
contestation.
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