Politics & Government
Executive Term Limits: Democratic Consolidation vs. Autocratic Instability
Quick fact
Between 1990 and 2020, more than 100 countries adopted or retained presidential term limits, yet in nearly 25% of those cases, leaders attempted to extend or remove them—often leading to political crises, violence, or autocratic entrenchment.
Why this is interesting
We often assume that term limits—like the two-term rule for U.S. presidents—are a safeguard for democracy. But in many countries, the same rule has triggered protests, coups, and violent crackdowns. Why does the effect flip so dramatically?