The global political landscape in 2026 is defined by a significant and sophisticated retreat of liberal democracy. Unlike the 20th-century transitions characterized by violent military coups, contemporary democratic backsliding is largely driven by "executive aggrandizement"—the incremental dismantling of democratic norms by constitutionally elected leaders. This study investigates the sociological drivers and regional manifestations of this shift across six continents.Utilizing a comparative sociological framework, this research analyzes data from the latest Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) and Freedom House indices alongside qualitative case studies from each continent. The study employs a multi-scalar approach, examining how macro-level economic inequality, meso-level institutional decay, and micro-level social polarization converge to facilitate autocratic transitions.The Global "Third Wave" of Autocratization: Evidence shows that global democracy levels have receded to mid-1980s levels. The "hybrid regime" has become the dominant model, where electoral processes remain intact but are stripped of their competitive integrity. Regional Drivers: Asia & Africa: Transitions are frequently linked to "state crisis" and the erosion of post-colonial institutional legacies.The Americas & Europe: Populist movements exploit "culture wars" and economic grievances to bypass traditional judicial and legislative "guardrails."Australia: While traditionally resilient, the study identifies emerging risks related to media concentration and the securitization of civil discourse.Sociological Catalysts: The study identifies a "Feedback Loop of Erosion" consisting of five stages: the rise of anti-democratic actors, the weakening of balancing institutions, entrenched social division, the loss of public faith in democratic efficacy, and the normalization of political violence.The "World Ahead" is not necessarily one of total dictatorship, but of "Electoral Autocracy." The findings suggest that democratic survival depends less on constitutional text and more on the social compact—the collective willingness of civil society to mobilize against incremental abuses of power. The study concludes with policy recommendations for fostering "Democratic Resilience" in an increasingly polarized global environment.