The Economist Recognizes Uruguay’s Democratic Leadership

The Economist’s Democracy Index reveals Uruguay as the only full democracy in Latin America, ranking 15th globally. Norway leads the list, while the global score has fallen to a record low. The report emphasizes rising authoritarianism and issues within democracies, including electoral violence and questionable governance in the U.S. and France.

The latest Democracy Index from The Economist, released on Thursday, recognizes Uruguay as the sole country in Latin America classified as a full democracy, ranking 15th globally with a score of 8.67 out of 10. The index assesses 167 nations based on multiple criteria, including electoral processes, government functionality, civil liberties, and political participation. This categorization encompasses full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes.

Norway remains at the helm for the sixteenth consecutive year, earning a notable score of 9.81, followed by New Zealand and Sweden. In the Americas region, Canada is positioned 14th with an 8.69 score, just ahead of Uruguay. The report highlights the struggle of regional countries, with Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti marked as authoritarian regimes.

The global average democracy score has declined to a record low of 5.17, with only 6.6% of the global population living in full democracies, a significant decrease from 12.5% ten years prior. This situation underscores the growing prevalence of authoritarian regimes globally, with two out of five individuals worldwide living under such rule. In light of these challenges, the report expresses concern over election-related violence and the authoritarian resurgence.

Specific country scores reveal striking disparities. For example, Afghanistan is the lowest-ranked nation with just 0.25 points, while Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti rank poorly, falling into the authoritarian category. Additionally, the index indicates a troubling trend, with France’s status downgraded from a full to a flawed democracy and Russia receiving a mere 2 points due to what is characterized as a “sham election” for President Putin.

Concerns regarding the United States’ democracy are also raised. The Economist suggests that President Donald Trump’s recent actions concerning civil service and executive orders might foreshadow deeper challenges to democratic governance in the coming year.

The Economist’s Democracy Index underscores concerns regarding global democratic standards, with Uruguay standing out as a full democracy in Latin America. A decline in average democracy scores globally signals increasing authoritarianism and challenges facing established democracies. The analysis highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance and reform in democratic practices worldwide.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com