"Forces intent on stirring up disarray in major advanced democracies certainly exist. These social media attacks, which look to advance fake news and influence voters, are perhaps the biggest threat to democracy and legitimate democratic outcomes."

No. Quite the contrary. The biggest threat to democracy since WWII is the relentless march to the right wing under the rule of major international corporations that not only don't  want democracy but don't want sovereignty of nations to interfere with global corporate profits.

  Demonizing large numbers of voters who want to change the rigged right wing economy and the corrupt political system is the oldest trick of ruthless leaders everywhere. Even in mild moderate little Canada, demonizing the NDP since its inception 60 years ago has been very effective in pushing Canadians ever more and more to the right wing under dishonest governments doing the bidding of greedy international billionaires.