ABSTRACT
This chapter emphasizes the importance of examining the multiple factors contributing to the current destabilization of democracy. It highlights the role of social bond traits in sustaining democratic systems. Drawing on empirical research from the case of Chile, it demonstrates that while disillusionment with unfulfilled promises is a significant factor eroding adherence to democratic principles, it is not the sole reason. Another critical element is the weakening of the moral and socio-cultural supports essential for the functioning, efficacy, and legitimacy of democracy. This decline results from ongoing reconfigurations within the social bond. The chapter focuses on two specific factors contributing to this process: the increasing trend toward individualization and the redefinition of relational principles and mechanisms, with authority serving as a key illustrative example.
