Democracy, War, and Geopolitics

Authoritarian Rule On The Rise

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Democracy Index, more than one-third of the world's population now lives under authoritarian rule. This share has been gradually increasing in recent years, raising concerns about the state of democracy around the globe.

Democracy Index Overview

The EIU Democracy Index is a comprehensive measure of the quality of democracy in countries worldwide. It assesses countries based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, political participation, political culture, and civil society.

War and Conflict's Impact on Democracy

The 2023 EIU Democracy Index report highlights the significant impact of war and conflict on democracy. The widespread violence and instability caused by these events can undermine democratic institutions and erode public trust in government.

Geopolitical Drivers of Conflict

The report also analyzes the geopolitical drivers of conflict, emphasizing the role of great power rivalry, resource scarcity, and ethnic tensions. These factors can create conditions that make countries vulnerable to conflict and authoritarianism.

Country Rankings

This year's Democracy Index includes annual global rankings of country performance for each of the categories of democratic performance. These rankings provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of democracies worldwide.