According to the study, several countries are experiencing a crisis of confidence in the main parties and political leaders (Getty)
A study prepared by the Research and Analysis Department of the Economist Group showed that democratic standards declined in the world during the past year as a result of the spread of wars, authoritarian practices, and a decline in confidence in traditional political parties.
The study, which was published on Thursday, explained that - what it called - the deterioration of the state of democracy in the world resulting mainly from negative developments in non-democratic countries, such as “the re-emergence of violent conflicts and authoritarian measures” and others.
While The Economist Intelligence Unit classified two new countries (Paraguay and Papua New Guinea) on the list of democracies in 2023, the global average of the Democracy Index fell to the level of 5.23 on a 10-point scale, compared to 5.29 the previous year, which is the lowest level recorded since The first study was published in 2006.
"Persistent Variations"
Among the 74 countries classified as democracies out of the 167 countries examined in the study, only 24 of them (representing 7.8% of the world’s population) are considered “full democracies,” meaning that they are “countries that not only respect basic political and civil liberties, but also tend to rely on a political culture conducive to personal growth.” For citizens.”
The other 50 countries, which include countries such as the United States, Brazil, Thailand, and Israel, are classified as “imperfect democracies,” which organize “free and fair elections, and although they have problems (such as violations of media freedom), basic civil liberties are respected.” According to the study report.
As for the remaining countries, they are classified between a “hybrid regime” and an “authoritarian regime” according to an index calculated based on 5 criteria: the electoral process, pluralism, government work, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.
A growing number of countries are facing "a decline in confidence in major parties and political leaders, and culture wars of the kind that have long characterized the United States," according to the report.
Niger and Gabon also recorded the largest decline, falling 29 places (141st) and 28 places (146th), respectively, and each of them witnessed a coup in 2023.
While the report stated that Western Europe improved its position and thus “overtook North America,” which did not top the rankings “for the first time since the index was created in 2006,” Western Europe “suffers from a low level of trust in government and polarization on the issue of immigration.”
A report on democracy around the world - issued late last year - showed that almost half of the countries are witnessing a decline in the democratic system, and that that year (last year) is “the sixth in a row that has witnessed a decline in democracy instead of progress,” according to Michael Rooney, who participated in the report. Development of the report issued by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
The report added that this trend represents the longest “democratic decline” recorded by the organization since it began collecting its data in 1975, noting that “the foundations of democracy are weakening in all parts of the world,” with problems “ranging from elections marred by irregularities to restricted rights,” according to what the agency reported. French press.
Source: French