According to a report from IDEA International, this is the sixth consecutive year in which more democracies are in decline than in progress.
Democracy, a declining value in the world? This tends to be shown by a report published on November 2nd by IDEA International, the international institute for democracy and election support. We learn that almost half of the world’s countries are experiencing a decline in their democratic systems. “This is the sixth year in a row that we have seen more democracies in decline than in progress,” notes Michael Runey, co-author of the report. He adds that this trend represents the longest “democratic recession” the organization has experienced since data collection began in 1975.
To produce these reports and assess the situation of democracies around the world, the think tank, which covers most countries in the world, uses several democratic indicators such as civil liberties, judicial independence and political participation. According to the report, “the foundations of democracy are weakening around the world,” with problems “ranging from flawed elections to limited rights.” Of the 173 countries examined, 85 performed poorly on at least “one key indicator of democratic performance over the past five years.”
Numerous coups d’état on the African continent
In terms of representation, the report points to “a notable decline”, particularly in the area of elections and the proper functioning of parliaments, but also with regard to the principle of the rule of law, including the independence of countries’ judicial systems. “We are also seeing a decline in historically successful democracies in Europe, North America and Asia,” says Michael Runey. This wave of decline in democratic systems on a global scale can be illustrated, among other things, by the coups on the African continent.
In the category of rights, the authors point out that there have been several declines in freedom of expression and assembly, although these were not significant overall. There have been improvements in the rule of law, “after many years of stagnating corruption,” the report says. “We see signs of hope in isolated countries around the world,” for example in Central Europe or on the African continent. “But overall the picture remains very negative,” he concludes.