Gendering De‐Democratization: Gender and Illiberalism in Post‐Communist Europe

Abstract

Many observers have written with concern about a growing “opposition to gender equality,” “anti‐gender campaigns,” and even a “war on gender.” Often, these trends take place in countries that are witnessing a decline in democratic quality, a process captured by such labels as “democratic erosion,” “democratic backsliding,” or “autocratization.” This thematic issue brings together literature on gender equality and de‐democratization with an emphasis on the role of illiberalism and a regional focus on post‐communist Europe.

Keywords

• autocratization
• de‐democratization
• equality
• europe
• gender
• illiberalism
• lgbtqia+
• populism