In Britain and the US, elections signify democracy. They also mask its decline

‘If Trump is returned to the White House he would use every executive lever to eliminate restraint on his power.’ Photograph: Scott Morgan/Reuters

This year, countries with a combined population of about 4 billion – half of all the people in the world – will hold elections. That would be cause for celebration if democracy consisted only of the act of voting.

That it doesn’t will be proved in March, when Russian citizens will be asked to choose a president, knowing in advance that the winner will be Vladimir Putin. Again.