Social conformity, the tendency of individuals to align their beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes with those of the groups around them, has always played a critical role in shaping societies. In 2025, this force continues to wield significant influence over global politics, steering decisions at both national and international levels. Historically, social conformity has been a driver behind political movements, revolutions, and the rise of ideologies. In the 20th century, for instance, totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union thrived by enforcing conformity within society, leading to large-scale political transformations. Today, the dynamics of global politics are shaped by the pressures of social conformity, but in an era marked by rapid globalization and technology, the consequences of this force have become more complex and, at times, alarming.
The rise of social media and digital platforms in the early 21st century has facilitated new forms of conformity, often through echo chambers and algorithms that reinforce particular views. This phenomenon has allowed populist leaders to cultivate mass followings by tapping into people’s innate desires for belonging and shared identity. In 2025, leaders around the world continue to exploit these platforms to consolidate power, using the conformity of public opinion as a tool to undermine democratic processes. The social pressures to align with dominant political narratives have created dangerous political landscapes, where dissent is silenced or marginalized. This environment of manipulated consensus has contributed to the rise of authoritarian regimes that prioritize their control over a nation’s political and economic systems, all while cultivating the illusion of public support.
A recent example of social conformity shaping global politics can be seen in the political turmoil surrounding Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan’s tenure and subsequent actions reveal how conformity, manipulated by charismatic leaders, can influence national sovereignty. Khan’s political narrative of change and anti-establishment rhetoric resonated deeply with large segments of the Pakistani population. However, the very mechanisms of social conformity that bolstered his rise to power also played a role in his attempts to destabilize the country’s democratic institutions. His accusations against the government and military, alongside his calls for protests and insurrection, created a polarizing atmosphere in Pakistan. While his supporters conformed to his narrative of opposition to the established order, these movements also generated a wave of instability, questioning the legitimacy of the country’s political structures.
In 2025, Khan’s influence continues to loom large, and his approach to politics has raised concerns about the erosion of Pakistan’s sovereignty. By encouraging mass protests and openly challenging the constitutionally elected government, Khan has pushed for a kind of social conformity where loyalty to his movement overrides the loyalty to state institutions. His political actions threaten to fracture the delicate balance of governance in Pakistan, creating a situation where the very foundation of the country’s sovereignty is called into question. This disregard for the traditional mechanisms of governance undermines Pakistan’s democratic processes and risks plunging the nation into deeper political chaos. His mission appears to be a calculated effort to reshape the power dynamics in the country in a manner that serves his personal and political interests, potentially at the expense of the national interest.
Imran Khan’s mission to attack Pakistan’s sovereignty is also reflective of a broader global trend where populist leaders challenge the established political order, questioning the legitimacy of institutions and fostering divisions within society. The influence of social conformity has allowed these leaders to craft messages that appeal to the masses, often at the expense of stability and national unity. The political landscape in countries such as Brazil, Hungary, and Turkey illustrates how social conformity can fuel the rise of leaders who erode democratic norms in favor of more autocratic models. These leaders, including Khan, rely on the conformity of public opinion to consolidate power, creating a scenario where dissent becomes less tolerated, and the voices of opposition are systematically silenced.
The dangers posed by this reliance on social conformity are not limited to Pakistan. Globally, this trend has led to a series of alarming consequences. Internationally, governments that once stood as beacons of democracy are finding themselves under threat, either from within or from populist movements that are gaining traction in the public sphere. The erosion of democratic principles has become a common thread across the globe, as social conformity is weaponized by leaders to undermine checks and balances, pressurize judicial systems, and attack the integrity of free speech. The rise of authoritarianism is not a singular occurrence but a global phenomenon, with social conformity playing a critical role in its spread.
The situation in 2025 stands as a wake-up call for the international community. Social conformity, while essential for the functioning of societies, has the potential to be manipulated by political actors to consolidate power, stifle opposition, and erode democratic processes. The examples of populist leaders undermining sovereign governance are not isolated incidents but part of a larger global pattern. The unchecked rise of such movements threatens not only the political stability of individual nations but the very ideals of democracy and sovereignty that have shaped the modern world order.
In closing, the influence of social conformity on global politics in 2025 presents an alarming scenario. The actions of leaders like Imran Khan serve as a reminder of how easily political narratives can be shaped by the collective will of a group, sometimes at the expense of a nation’s sovereignty. In an age where information is rapidly shared and public opinion is easily swayed, the international community must remain vigilant. The risks posed by social conformity manipulated by those in power have the potential to destabilize entire political systems and call into question the very foundations of democratic governance. The world is at a critical juncture, where the line between political leadership and authoritarianism is becoming increasingly blurred, and the consequences of inaction could be far-reaching.
