The democratic decline poses a global threat to free elections - University of Gothenburg
In the latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg, it has been highlighted that over half of the 60 countries conducting national elections this year are facing a decline in their democratic status, posing a threat to the integrity of the electoral processes. This decline in election quality is alarming as it can either reinforce or counteract the trend of autocratization, which is currently evident in 42 countries globally, with 71% of the world's population residing in autocracies compared to 48% a decade ago. The report identifies a growing trend of challenges to freedom of expression, media freedom, free and fair elections, and civil society organizations.
The democratic backsliding is most pronounced in Eastern Europe and South and Central Asia, with notable declines in democracy levels. However, Latin America and the Caribbean are exhibiting a positive trend, with democracy levels on the rise. The report singles out Hungary for experiencing a rapid decline in democracy levels globally, while Brazil has successfully reversed its autocratization process, emerging as a significant democratizer in the region. Professor Staffan I. Lindberg, the Director of the V-Dem Institute, emphasizes the critical importance of elections in shaping the future of democracy and underscores the need to address the challenges to election integrity.
Election quality has been identified as a global concern, with the report indicating a significant increase in the number of countries witnessing a decline in free and fair elections over the past four years. The autonomy of election management bodies is being increasingly compromised in 24 countries, further exacerbating the erosion of election quality. Among the countries holding national elections in 2024, 31 are experiencing a deterioration in their democracy levels, while only three have shown improvements. It is particularly worrisome that election management bodies' autonomy is under threat in 23 of these countries, including India, which has a vast electorate of 1.4 billion citizens.
The report underscores the critical nature of the upcoming elections in countries such as the United States, where previous challenges to democracy, including attacks on media freedom and judicial independence, raise concerns about the future trajectory of democracy. The potential impact of a second term for former President Donald Trump on democracy is highlighted, citing his past actions that undermined democratic institutions and norms. The concentration of elections in contested spaces during the "super election year" of 2024 further heightens the significance of this year for the global democratic landscape.
While the report paints a concerning picture of democratic decline, it also highlights some positive developments. Eighteen countries, including Brazil, are democratizing, showcasing signs of improvement. Additionally, nine countries are showing positive developments and could emerge as democratic "bright spots" in the near future. There is a potential shift towards having more electoral democracies than electoral autocracies globally, with electoral democracies outnumbering electoral autocracies for the third consecutive year in 2023.
The Democracy Report emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing the challenges facing democracy globally. Despite the increase in electoral democracies, concerns remain regarding the backsliding of liberal democracies, which contribute to this shift. The report's launch event provides a platform for further discussion on the findings and implications for the future of democracy worldwide.
The V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg is renowned for producing the largest global dataset on democracy, compiling data from 202 countries spanning from 1789 to 2023. The institute involves over 4,000 scholars and country experts, measuring various attributes of democracy to provide valuable insights into the state of democracy globally. The report serves as a significant contribution to understanding the challenges and opportunities for democracy in the contemporary world.
(Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036875)
The democratic backsliding is most pronounced in Eastern Europe and South and Central Asia, with notable declines in democracy levels. However, Latin America and the Caribbean are exhibiting a positive trend, with democracy levels on the rise. The report singles out Hungary for experiencing a rapid decline in democracy levels globally, while Brazil has successfully reversed its autocratization process, emerging as a significant democratizer in the region. Professor Staffan I. Lindberg, the Director of the V-Dem Institute, emphasizes the critical importance of elections in shaping the future of democracy and underscores the need to address the challenges to election integrity.
Election quality has been identified as a global concern, with the report indicating a significant increase in the number of countries witnessing a decline in free and fair elections over the past four years. The autonomy of election management bodies is being increasingly compromised in 24 countries, further exacerbating the erosion of election quality. Among the countries holding national elections in 2024, 31 are experiencing a deterioration in their democracy levels, while only three have shown improvements. It is particularly worrisome that election management bodies' autonomy is under threat in 23 of these countries, including India, which has a vast electorate of 1.4 billion citizens.
The report underscores the critical nature of the upcoming elections in countries such as the United States, where previous challenges to democracy, including attacks on media freedom and judicial independence, raise concerns about the future trajectory of democracy. The potential impact of a second term for former President Donald Trump on democracy is highlighted, citing his past actions that undermined democratic institutions and norms. The concentration of elections in contested spaces during the "super election year" of 2024 further heightens the significance of this year for the global democratic landscape.
While the report paints a concerning picture of democratic decline, it also highlights some positive developments. Eighteen countries, including Brazil, are democratizing, showcasing signs of improvement. Additionally, nine countries are showing positive developments and could emerge as democratic "bright spots" in the near future. There is a potential shift towards having more electoral democracies than electoral autocracies globally, with electoral democracies outnumbering electoral autocracies for the third consecutive year in 2023.
The Democracy Report emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing the challenges facing democracy globally. Despite the increase in electoral democracies, concerns remain regarding the backsliding of liberal democracies, which contribute to this shift. The report's launch event provides a platform for further discussion on the findings and implications for the future of democracy worldwide.
The V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg is renowned for producing the largest global dataset on democracy, compiling data from 202 countries spanning from 1789 to 2023. The institute involves over 4,000 scholars and country experts, measuring various attributes of democracy to provide valuable insights into the state of democracy globally. The report serves as a significant contribution to understanding the challenges and opportunities for democracy in the contemporary world.
(Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036875)
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