民主必將枯亡
Throughout 2024, national elections will be held in more than 40 countries worldwide, which collectively account for “more than 40% of the world’s population and an outsized chunk of global GDP.”
在整個2024年，全球將有40多個國家舉行全國選舉，這些國家總人口佔了「全球40％以上，以及全球GDP相當大的一部分」。
collectively(adv.)總體地;全部地=togetheraccount for佔～比例=representmake up構成=constitute=comprisean outsized chunk of~巨大部分的～、相當大部分的～=a substantial portion of~=a significant share of~=a considerable part of~
According to The Guardian’s Simon Tisdall, the outcomes of these elections will not only test the health of global democracy but also set the tone for “who controls and directs the 21st-century world.”
根據《衛報》專欄作家西蒙·蒂斯道爾所言，這些選舉的結果將不僅將考驗全球民主的健全，還將為「誰來掌控和引領21世紀的世界」定下基調。
outcome(n.)結果=resultconsequence(n.)(負面)後果
This “Super Bowl” of elections will encompass a wide range of nations, from some of the most globally powerful, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and India, all the way to one of the world’s weakest, South Sudan, and will run the gamut from being “open, free and fair” to “not free at all.”
這場「超級盃」選舉將涵蓋眾多國家，從美國、英國和印度等全球最強大的國家，一直到全球最弱小的國家之一—南蘇丹，選舉結果將從「公開、自由和公正」到「毫無自由」不等。
Super Bowl超級盃encompass(v.)包括、包含a wide range of~各種各樣的～run the gamut包羅萬象、將～都囊括進來run the gamut from A to B涵蓋範圍從A到B=range from A to B
One thing is for sure though: 2024’s numerous elections have the very real potential to “further destabilize an unstable world.”
不過有一點是確定的，2024年的眾多選舉確實有可能「使動盪不安的世界局勢更加不穩。」
potential(n.)可能性=possibilitystable(adj.)穩定的unstable(adj.)不穩定的stablize(v.)使穩定destabilize(v.)破壞…的穩定、使不穩定The conflict destabilized the whole region.這場衝突破壞了整個地區的穩定。
In fact, according to Tisdall, these national votes come at a critical juncture in the survival of worldwide liberal democracies, which are currently “under existential attack from authoritarians and dictators,” as well as far-right ultranationalist and populist parties, along with threats from militants and militaries.
事實上，蒂斯道爾認為，這些國家選舉正值全世界自由民主國家存亡的緊要關頭，他們目前「正受到來自極權主義者和獨裁者」、極右派極端民族主義和民粹主義政黨的「生存攻擊」，以及來自激進分子和軍方的威脅。
juncture(n.)緊要關頭、危急時刻existential(adj.)存在的、關於存在的、存在主義的ultranationalist(adj.)極端民族主義的populist(adj.)民粹主義的militant(n.)好戰份子、激進份子military(n.)軍隊;軍方
Further corroborating this grim outlook, the US-based watchdog Freedom House noted in its 2023 report that “global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year.”
總部設在美國的監督機構「自由之家」在其2023年的報告中指出，「全球自由度連續第17年下降」，進一步印證了這一嚴峻的前景。
consecutive(adj.)連續的=successivein a row連續地=straightcorroborate(v.)證實、印證=confirm=back up
Of the most pivotal elections in 2024, some will likely take place in nations that are currently engaged in war or facing external threats against their democracies.
在2024年最關鍵的選舉中，有些選舉可能會在正處於戰爭狀態國家，或面臨外部對其民主體制威脅的國家中舉行。
pivotal(adj.)關鍵性的、核心的be engaged in進行、從事external threat外部威脅external hard drive 外接硬碟for external use only僅限外用internal medicine內科internal dispute內部爭執
Taiwan is one that the world will be watching because the outcome of the election could further escalate cross-strait conflict with China.
台灣是全世界都將關注的一個國家，因為選舉的結果可能會使兩岸衝突進一步升級。
escalate(v.)使升級、使越演越烈cross-strait conflict海峽兩岸的衝突
Additionally, elections are due in both Ukraine and Israel, but whether they will be held amid the ongoing wars in the regions remains to be seen.
此外，烏克蘭和以色列也將舉行選舉，但這兩個地區是否會在持續進行的戰爭中舉行選舉仍有待觀察。
due(adj.)到期的;預定應該發生的This electric bill is due by the end of the month.電費帳單到月底就該付清了
Given the role that the US plays in world politics, Tisdall believes that America’s 2024 election has the greatest potential to “upend the international order,” should Donald Trump defeat Joe Biden.
有鑑於美國在世界政治中扮演的角色，蒂斯道爾認為，如果川普擊敗拜登，2024的美國大選最有可能「顛覆國際秩序」。
given(prep.)有鑑於;考慮到=considering=in view of=in light ofupend(v.)顛覆;徹底改變=turn upside downThe emergence of this new technology may upend traditional market dynamics.這項新科技的出現可能會顛覆傳統的市場動態。
If this comes to pass, Tisdall states — somewhat hyperbolically — that world “democracy will surely wither and die.”
蒂斯道爾有點誇張地表示，如果這成真，世界「民主必將枯萎而亡。」
come to pass發生=happenhyperbolically(adv.)誇張地=in a hyperbolic manner=in an exaggerated wayhyperbolic(adj.)誇張的hyperbole(n.)誇飾法wither(v.)(植物)枯萎;凋落、(比喻)衰竭;破滅His enthusiasm withered after doing the same job for 10 years.在重複同樣的工作十年後，他的熱情衰竭了。