The Economist’s Democracy Index ranks Uruguay as the only full democracy in its region, placing it 15th globally. It highlights a troubling decline in global democratic standards, with only 6.6% of the world’s population living in a full democracy. Countries like Norway lead the rankings, while many in the Americas face authoritarian regimes.
According to the latest Democracy Index released by The Economist, Uruguay is distinguished as the sole nation in its region classified as a full democracy. With a global ranking of 15th and a score of 8.67 out of 10, Uruguay exemplifies strong democratic practices. The report assesses 167 countries and territories based on several factors, including electoral integrity and civil liberties.
The index outlines four classifications for countries: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes. Leading the list globally is Norway, followed by New Zealand and Sweden. Within the Americas, Canada holds the 14th position, closely followed by Uruguay. However, nations like Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti are categorized as authoritarian.
The report indicates a concerning trend, as the worldwide democracy average has plummeted to 5.17, with only 6.6% of the global population living in full democracies—down from 12.5% a decade ago. Simultaneously, two out of five individuals worldwide reside under authoritarian governance as democracies face increasing threats such as electoral violence and authoritarianism.
On the Democracy Index, Norway has maintained its top position for 16 consecutive years, scoring 9.81, while Canada and Costa Rica score 8.69 and 8.29, respectively. In stark contrast, Afghanistan recorded a mere 0.25 points. Nicaragua, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti fall at the lower end of the spectrum, garnering ranks of 147, 142, 135, and 131, respectively.
The decrease in democratic scores is echoed in various global contexts, such as Russia’s recent elections granting Vladimir Putin another term with a meager score of 2. France has also seen a downgrade from full to flawed democracy. Concerns arise regarding the United States’ democratic stability, particularly in light of President Trump’s contentious decisions affecting the civil service and other executive actions.
In summary, Uruguay stands out as a beacon of democracy in a region riddled with authoritarian challenges, as evidenced by The Economist’s recent Democracy Index. The overall decline in global democratic standards highlights the urgent need for vigilance against rising authoritarianism and threats to civil liberties. This report serves as a critical reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of safeguarding it.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
