The Economist’s global Democracy Index positions Uruguay as the only full democracy in Latin America, ranking 15th with a score of 8.67. Norway leads globally, while the overall democratic average has dropped to 5.17. Many countries, including the U.S., face challenges to democratic governance amid rising authoritarianism.
The Economist’s newly released global Democracy Index reveals that Uruguay stands out as the only fully democratic nation in Latin America, securing a 15th place worldwide with a commendable score of 8.67 out of 10. This index evaluates 167 countries and territories based on electoral processes, government functionality, political engagement, political culture, and civil liberties, categorizing them as full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian regimes.
Norway continues to lead the global rankings for the sixteenth consecutive year, boasting a remarkable score of 9.81. Following Norway, New Zealand and Sweden also rank high. Within the Americas, Canada ranks 14th with a score of 8.69, closely trailing Uruguay. Conversely, the region’s most authoritarian states include Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti, which occupy the lowest ranks.
The global democracy average has decreased significantly to 5.17, indicating a notable decline in democratic governance, with only 6.6% of the world residing within a full democracy. This marks a sharp decrease from 12.5% ten years earlier. The report identifies pressing challenges for democracies globally, including electoral violence and the ascendance of authoritarian regimes.
As noted, Russia’s recent election resulted in Vladimir Putin securing a fifth term, contributing to a dismal score of only 2 points, while France has been downgraded from a full democracy to a flawed democracy due to various political issues. The United States faces potential democratic challenges as well, specifically related to executive orders from President Donald Trump that may affect civil service governance, according to The Economist.
In summary, The Economist’s global Democracy Index highlights Uruguay’s distinction as the only full democracy in Latin America, underscoring a broader decline in global democratic standards. Norway retains its top position globally, while countries in the Americas reflect a spectrum of democratic health, ranging from strong democracies like Canada and Uruguay to authoritarian regimes. The report signals a concerning trend as the global average of democratic governance falls to an all-time low, with a large part of the population living under authoritarian rule.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
