DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2020
- In sickness and in health?
The main focus is the impact of the corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic on democracy and freedom around the world. It looks at how the pandemic resulted in the withdrawal of...
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2019
- A YEAR OF DEMOCRATIC SETBACKS AND GLOBAL PROTEST
In the 2019 Democracy Index the average global score for democracy fell from 5.48 in 2018 to 5.44 (on a scale of 0-10). This is the worst average global score since the index was first produced in 2006. ...
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2018: ME TOO?
- POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, PROTEST AND DEMOCRACY
This is the 11th edition of the Democracy Index, which began in 2006. It records how global democracy fared in 2018. The results are mixed. For the first time in three years, the global score for democracy remained stable. This result disguises ...
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2017
- FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK
In the 2017 Democracy Index the average global score fell from 5.52 in 2016 to 5.48 (on a scale of 0 to 10). Some 89 countries experienced a decline in their total score compared with 2016, more than three times as many as the countries that recorded an improvement (27), the worst performance since …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2016
- REVENGE OF THE “DEPLORABLES”
The title of this year’s report refers to the popular revolt in 2016 against political elites who are perceived by many to be out of touch and failing to represent the interests of ordinary people (“political elites” refers primarily to governments, legislatures, state institutions and …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2015
- DEMOCRACY IN AN AGE OF ANXIETY
The title of this year’s report reflects the threat to democracy emanating from the fearful mood of our times, which informs the reactions of ordinary people and political elites alike. An increased …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2014
- DEMOCRACY AND ITS DISCONTENTS
This is the seventh edition of the Democracy Index. It reflects the situation at the end of 2014, a year in which democracy’s discontents were on the rise. As has been the pattern in recent years, there was little change in the …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2013
- DEMOCRACY IN LIMBO
In 2013 global democracy was in limbo, in the sense that, as has been the pattern in recent years, there was little overall change–there was neither significant progress nor regression over the course of the year. Average regional scores …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2012
- DEMOCRACY AT A STANDSTILL
In 2012 global democracy was at a standstill in the sense that there was neither significant progress nor regression in democracy in that year. (..) Following a regression in 2011, in western Europe in 2012 there was …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2011
- DEMOCRACY UNDER STRESS
2011 was an exceptionally turbulent year politically, characterised by sovereign debt crises and weak political leadership in the developed world, dramatic change and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and rising social unrest …
DEMOCRACY INDEX, 2010
- DEMOCRACY IN RETREAT
The global record in democratisation since the start of its so-called third wave in 1974, and acceleration after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, has been impressive. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s measure of democracy, one-half …