The state of democracy in the world on International Democracy Day continues to decline. According to indicators of freedom and welfare, political freedom has been steadily decreasing since 2012. This worrying trend, which has affected all regions of the world, indicates a reduction in political rights and civil liberties.
Continuous Decline of Political Freedoms
Statistics show that out of 171 countries with available data, 124 countries scored lower in the political freedom sub-index in 2023 compared to 2012. This decline in freedoms is due to the increasing power of executive authorities and the decline in electoral health. For example, Freedom House reports that by 2025, 19 countries have experienced a decline in civil and political rights.
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Positive Relationship Between Democracy and Economic Growth
Despite these setbacks in democracy, evidence shows that democratic countries are more economically successful. Countries that turn to democracy experience 8.8% more GDP growth over twenty years compared to autocratic countries. There is also a strong relationship between freedom and social welfare, which includes income, health, income equality, and educational opportunities. Of the 13 countries that have seen a decline in welfare since 2012, 12 have experienced a drop in freedom.
Research shows that people around the world recognize the importance of democracy. Surveys indicate that more than two-thirds of respondents consider democracy very important, and 62% believe that the main goal of democracy is to improve living standards.
While most regions of the world face a decline in political freedom, some countries such as Gambia and Malaysia have significantly improved democratic governance in recent years. Additionally, recent changes in countries like Hungary and Bangladesh indicate a desire for democracy.
However, it should be noted that the removal of autocrats and the establishment of democratic institutions is a time-consuming process. Despite the existing challenges, evidence suggests that democracies can bring about stronger economic growth and achieve broader social welfare. Therefore, on International Democracy Day, the factors that support this process remain important and necessary.
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