Nearly half of the global population is set to go to the polls in more than 64 countries during the course of 2024. It is a tinderbox for civil unrest.
As tensions simmer, bitterly fought elections and disinformation are set to supercharge public angst against a backdrop of growing social inequality and polarizing discourse.
Businesses must be prepared for disruption, both directly and indirectly.
In A Year of Elections in an Unstable World — Part 1, we considered how election fever is likely to prompt an increase in AI-fueled disinformation campaigns and state-sponsored cyber attacks.
In Part 2, we look at why elections may be a key driver of political violence, and what businesses should do to protect their people, assets and operations.
Insights
- Nearly half of the global population will participate in elections worldwide during 2024 at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
- The upcoming elections have several flashpoints, but civil unrest and other forms of political violence are dynamic, human perils, and events can be difficult to predict.
- Where tensions boil over into civil unrest, businesses may face a number of threats to their people, property and operations.
- Companies should have tested crisis management plans and contingencies in place to minimize disruption during times of turmoil.
- As geopolitical risk rises up the boardroom agenda, demand for intelligence is set to grow.