Why has there been a rise in illiberal democracies in recent years?

This is a complex question, one that historians and social scientists are also struggling to answer. One of the most common reasons is that many liberal democracies are guilty of overlooking their poorest and least powerful voters, who decide that they should elect populists. Populists are politicians who say that the current leadership is out of touch, corrupt, and does not understand the average person. There are many populists currently in power throughout the world, from US president Donald Trump to Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban to Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, all of whom told voters that they alone could solve their nations' corruption issues.
Another factor is the role of the media in contemporary politics. While the media has influenced elections for centuries, some politicians control it for their own benefit. Russia's Vladimir Putin is famous for his control of the Russian media, which does not question his policies and encourages its viewers to think positively of Russia and negatively of Russia's rivals. Control of the media is common in many countries, from North Korea to Venezuela.
Finally, a major reason is the economic crisis of 2008 and its aftermath. As people lose jobs, savings, and pensions, they may turn toward politicians who promise radical change. People who have little or no money may believe political promises about major redistribution of wealth, only to find that the new powers entrench their own wealthy elite in place of the previous oligarchs.