Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:
Political scientists today are significantly concerned about so-called “democratic backsliding, or gradual declines in the ability of democratic states to function as such, as seen in numerous examples of several nations undergoing gradual erosion of basic democratic norms from within. Democratic backsliding is rarely the result of any sudden or violent overthrow of existing government structures; instead, democratic backsliding occurs as a result of incremental, usually legally sanctioned means, including the slow destruction of judicial independence, the limitation of media freedom, and the consolidation of executive authority through populist leaders, who often rely on public perceptions of legitimacy and democratic will generated by their election to justify their actions. Therefore, the democratic system can no longer generate democratic governance (governments accountable to the public) as it previously did, as it is being eroded by the ongoing destruction of democratic institutions and the limitations imposed on them by populism. The same constitutions that were once regarded as acts of governance are now seen as tools for controlling the majority. Furthermore, the global community's inability to effectively counter democratic regression is made even worse by its commitment to the principle of state sovereignty and restrictions on intervening by other states. As a result, addressing democratic backsliding raises questions about the traditional ideas of democratic self-perpetuation and self-sustainability and forces us to evaluate the complex roles that a vibrant civil society plays in supporting democratic government, civic culture, and the strength of institutions.
Which option best describes how populist leaders tend to contribute to democratic backsliding?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The passage explicitly states that democratic backsliding involves the "consolidation of executive authority through populist leaders." It further explains that these leaders "rely on public perceptions of legitimacy and democratic will generated by their election to justify their actions."
Option ‘C’ is the correct answer.