The Economist’s latest Democracy Index shows that Uruguay is the only full democracy in Latin America, ranking 15th with a score of 8.67. Globally, democracy is on the decline, with only 6.6% of people living in full democracies. The report highlights significant challenges to democratic governance, including rising authoritarianism and electoral violence.
The latest global Democracy Index from The Economist, released on Thursday, indicates that Uruguay is the only country in Latin America classified as a full democracy, ranking 15th overall with an impressive score of 8.67 out of 10. This index evaluates 167 nations and territories based on criteria such as electoral processes, governance, political participation, civil liberties, and democratic culture.
The top three countries on the list remain unchanged, with Norway holding the first position, followed by New Zealand and Sweden. In the Americas, Canada ranks 14th, just ahead of Uruguay. Conversely, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti fall under authoritarian regimes, marking the lowest positions in the region.
The report notes that the global average score has plummeted to a historic low of 5.17, revealing that only 6.6% of the world’s population resides in full democracies, a marked decline from 12.5% a decade ago. Presently, two out of five individuals globally live under authoritarian governance, underscoring significant challenges that democracies face, including election-related violence and the elevation of authoritarian leaders.
For the sixteenth consecutive year, Norway has clinched the top spot with 9.81 points. New Zealand and Sweden follow closely behind. Costa Rica stands at 18th place with 8.29 points. At the bottom of the scale, Afghanistan received a meager score of 0.25.
In the regional rankings, Nicaragua landed at 147th with 2.09 points, while Venezuela and Cuba occupied the 142nd and 135th positions with scores of 2.25 and 2.58, respectively. Haiti ranks 131st with 2.74 points. The global decline in democracy is further illustrated by Russia’s recent “sham election,” awarding Vladimir Putin another presidential term and resulting in a dismal score of 2.
The Economist also highlights France’s downgrade from a full democracy to a flawed one. The situation in the United States is under scrutiny, especially in light of potential challenges to democratic norms following President Donald Trump’s controversial executive orders concerning civil service, among other issues.
The annual Democracy Index by The Economist emphasizes Uruguay’s unique status as the only full democracy in Latin America, ranking 15th globally. The report reveals a troubling decline in global democratic standards, with a drop in full democracies and an increase in authoritarian regimes. Consequently, this situation calls for a closer examination of governance practices in various countries, especially in the context of growing authoritarianism and political instability.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
