The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), based in Stockholm, has recently published its annual report. The findings indicate a worrying trend: the decline of democracy globally for the sixth year running. The report reveals that out of the 173 countries surveyed, 85 have shown a decrease in at least one significant democracy indicator in the last half-decade. This ongoing decline represents the lengthiest period of democratic regression since record-keeping commenced in 1975.
IDEA’s Global State of Democracy 2023 report highlights the continuous challenges faced by democracies worldwide. Kevin Casas-Zamora, IDEA’s Secretary-General, notes that while democracy is at a standstill in some places, it is deteriorating in many others. Casas-Zamora points to the weakening of global democratic institutions, which traditionally serve as bulwarks for human rights and the rule of law, as a significant factor in this decline.
However, Casas-Zamora also brings attention to the potential power of informal checks and balances. He suggests that journalists, election organisers, and anti-corruption commissioners might be the key to combatting the rising tide of authoritarianism and populism.
The report also highlights the various challenges that 2022 brought with it, which have contributed to the decline in democratic values. These include Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, escalating climate change, and the economic downturn resulting from a global inflation surge and the accompanying cost of living crisis.
While Europe is mentioned as the region with the highest performance in terms of democracy, it has also seen a decline, particularly in younger democracies like Hungary and even in long-established ones such as the United Kingdom. In Asia and eastern Europe, countries including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Turkey ranked poorly.
In the Americas, the report notes that the United States has experienced a decline due to the “decrease in social group equality”. Similarly, Guatemala and El Salvador have also seen regressions, largely due to political instability and human rights abuses that occurred throughout 2022. Africa’s democratic decline was particularly marked by a series of coups d’etat.
IDEA’s report bases its findings on over 100 variables that cover a range of political issues. These encompass political representation, rights, rule of law, and participation.
