A/HRC/22/29 citizen participation, poor or absent public debate, lack of effective empowerment policies and access to justice, and unconstitutional access to power or change of government. A. Political and security challenges 29. Weak or dysfunctional institutions are among the most serious challenges to democracy. As highlighted above, democracy does not need to follow a uniform pattern. It requires political commitment based on respect for human rights and institutional compliance with the principles of the rule of law. Such interaction and cooperation can be disrupted if all contending forces do not agree to work hand in hand. 30. Continuously weakened institutions can collapse, leading to the breakdown of State order. Among the primary generators of disruption are: an autocratic executive, an inefficient or non-accountable Parliament, attempts to manipulate the constitutional order and the outcome of elections, a military subservient to political interest instead of national security, and the corrosive effects of corruption. The vacuum of authority is another serious challenge for democracy and democratization. 31. Unremitting societal engagement is indispensable to fend off disruption and reversal of democracy. It also allows the community to keep at bay ―dictatorship nostalgia‖ and temptations to step beyond the rule of law (lynching, vigilante groups). Ultimately, there exists an ―ever-present connection between the security of persons and democratic coexistence‖.8 32. Globalization can also constitute a threat to democracy if States’ ability to control the management of their resources, environment and economics is constantly challenged. Similarly, the transnational nature of some prevailing security challenges, such as armed groups operating across several countries, increases the threat on States’ political stability. In recent years, this element has taken on a new dimension relating to the increase of transnational terrorism whereby armed groups moving across boundaries represent serious challenges for national, regional and global security. States’ responses to such threats must be calibrated to avoid a further weakening of democracy. The post-September 11 era witnessed several examples of infringements of human rights and erosions of the rule of law in the context of countering terrorism. In this respect, it is particularly important to stress that human rights may be limited only by law and to such an extent necessary to meet the purpose for which the limitation is allowed in an open and democratic society. 33. Violence is a major challenge to democracy. The responsibility of States to prevent or contain violence is paramount before, during and after a political transition. In addressing violence, they should tackle its proximate and deeper causalities as well as its local, national and international dimensions. The institutionalization of strategic peace processes in conflict and post-conflict societies has a significant effect on both the prevention and management of violence in order to protect human rights under the rule of law. 34. Violence can also erupt when the introduction of democracy challenges the foundations of a pre-existing undemocratic political order. Transitions to democracy are inherently disorderly and multifaceted. Specifically, during transitions, members of the former State apparatus may attempt to regain power. Within this context, the peaceful 8 8 Organization of American States, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, ―Report on citizen security and human rights‖, document OEA/Ser.L/V/II. (Doc. 57), para. 20. Available from www.cidh.org/pdf%20files/SEGURIDAD%20CIUDADANA%202009%20ENG.pdf.