Global Democracy Declines for Eighth Consecutive Year, Report Reveals

According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, democracy has declined globally for the eighth straight year, with significant drops in election credibility and voter turnout. Election disputes are rising, and the 2023 report indicates that nearly 47% of countries faced declines in democratic indicators due to various challenges, including government intimidation and disinformation.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) reported that 2023 witnessed a significant decline in democratic governance for the eighth consecutive year globally. The decline is characterized by a notable deterioration in the credibility of elections and parliamentary oversight, which has reached its lowest point in nearly five decades. Contributing factors include government intimidation, foreign interference, disinformation campaigns, and the misuse of artificial intelligence in electoral processes.

The report indicates a troubling trend where voter turnout has plummeted from 65.2% in 2008 to 55.5% in 2023, with approximately one in three elections facing disputes over their outcomes. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, emphasized that elections provide a crucial opportunity to reverse the trend of democratic backsliding: “Elections remain the single best opportunity to end democratic backsliding and turn the tide in democracy’s favor. The success of democracy depends on many things, but it becomes utterly impossible if elections fail.”

In analyzing data collected over the last five years from 158 nations, the organization concluded that 47% of these countries experienced declines in vital democratic indicators. Additionally, nearly 20% of elections held between 2020 and 2024 involved disputes where the losing candidates or parties rejected the results, highlighting a concerning trend of judicial interventions in electoral outcomes.

International IDEA’s report highlights a pattern of decline not just in emerging democracies but also in historically stable ones. In Africa, while democratic performance remained stable overall, areas such as the Sahel, particularly Burkina Faso, have seen significant democratic erosion following military coups. Conversely, entities like Burundi and Zambia have shown improvement.

Western Asia also reported troubling results, with one-third of countries exhibiting poor democratic performance, while Europe has seen declines in critical areas, including the rule of law and civil liberties, despite progress in countries like Montenegro and Latvia. The Americas have largely maintained stability, though nations such as Guatemala, Peru, and Uruguay have encountered setbacks.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the trend has varied; relatively minor declines were noted with significant progress in Fiji, the Maldives, and Thailand, contrasting sharply with the dire situation in Afghanistan and Myanmar, where civil unrest and instability persist.

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is a Stockholm-based organization dedicated to promoting democracy worldwide. Following the increasing global trend of democratic backsliding, the organization has released several reports analyzing the state of democracy in various countries. This particular report highlights the alarming trend of declining elections’ credibility and parliamentary oversight, emphasizing the challenges posed by manipulation and external influences during electoral processes.

The report by International IDEA underscores a pervasive decline in democratic governance across multiple regions of the globe, marked by reduced electoral integrity and an increase in contested election outcomes. Factors such as intimidation, foreign meddling, and disinformation campaigns contribute significantly to these setbacks. It is evident that revitalizing democracy necessitates robust and credible elections, emphasizing the need for global attention to these issues if democracy is to be restored and strengthened.

Original Source: apnews.com