Guest Paper | What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability

On the 3rd of July 2024, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) invited experts from across the transatlantic community, specifically the US National Intelligence Council, NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), and the EU Institute for Security Studies to exchange views on future security trends in the transatlantic community and their implications for the Netherlands and Europe. This was the first event in a three-part series called ‘The Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks’. The first event was titled ‘Navigating Tomorrow: Transatlantic Outlooks on the Future Security Landscape and its Implications for the Netherlands’. Check out the event recap here and read the official write-up here.

This guest paper What divides us? And the impact on democracy and stability was written by Dr. Jakkie Cilliers in anticipation of the second The Hague Strategic Foresight Forum Talks ‘Global Perspectives on Future Security Trends’. This closed-door event will be held on the 23rd of September 2024.

The paper examines the widening gap between the Global North and Global South amid shifting economic and political dynamics. It explores how these global divisions—fueled by economic disparities, geopolitical tensions, and climate change—affect democratisation, governance, and global stability. With rising authoritarianism and declining democracy worldwide, the paper raises important questions about the future of multilateral cooperation and the role of different regions in shaping a more stable global order. The piece also delves into Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities within this evolving landscape.

Dr. Jakkie Cilliers the founder and the former Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa. He currently serves as Chairman of the ISS Board of Trustees and Head of the African Futures and Innovation Programme in the Pretoria office of the Institute.