STOCKHOLM — Half of democratic governments around the world are in decline, undermined by problems ranging from restrictions on freedom of expression to distrust in the legitimacy of elections, according to a new report by the intergovernmental organization’, the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
This decline comes as elected leaders face unprecedented challenges from Russia’s war in Ukraine, cost of living crises, a looming global recession and climate change.
The number of backsliding countries — those with the most severe democratic erosion — is at its peak and includes the established democracy of the United States, which still faces problems of political polarization, institutional dysfunction, and threats to civil liberties.
There are troubling patterns even in countries performing at middle to high levels of democratic standards. Progress has stalled across the Global State of Democracy Indices (GSoD Indices) over the last five years.
In many cases, democratic performances are no better than they were in 1990.
Global democracy’s decline includes undermining of credible elections results, restrictions on online freedoms and rights, youth disillusionment with political parties as well as out-of-touch leaders, intractable corruption, and the rise of extreme right parties that has polarized politics.
More than two-thirds of the world’s population now live in backsliding democracies or authoritarian and hybrid regimes. Still, there are signs of progress.
People are coming together in innovative ways to renegotiate terms of social contracts, pushing their governments to meet 21st century demands, from creating community-based childcare in Asia to reproductive freedoms in Latin America.
People are successfully organizing themselves outside traditional party structures, especially youth, from climate protests to Indigenous rights. New constitutions and laws are aiming to lift the voices of marginalized groups. In the streets of Iran, young protesters brave their lives to press for basic freedoms.
These are the key findings of the “The Global State of Democracy Report 2022 – Forging Social Contracts in a Time of Discontent” - published by International IDEA.
The global report will be presented Wednesday evening during a global livestreamed event, including keynote messages from Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships; Delia Ferreira, Chair of Transparency International; and Michael O’Flaherty, Director, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.
“The world faces a multitude of crises, from the cost of living to risks of nuclear confrontation and the acceleration of the climate crisis. At the same time, we see global democracy in decline. It is a toxic mix”, said International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora.
“Never has there been such an urgency for democracies to respond, to show their citizens that they can forge new, innovative social contracts that bind people together rather than divide them.” — Agencies
