Democracies Around the World
Democracy comes in many flavors, and no one model fits all. Yet all democracies share some fundamental features.
These include a rule of law that guarantees equal protection and rights to all citizens and prohibits any unwarranted deprivation of life or liberty. They also provide a transparent process for determining laws and for selecting governing officials, including elections that reflect the people’s will. Finally, they allow for a robust civic culture with open debate, free speech and participation.
The ideas that make up democracy are popular around the world, as demonstrated by global polling and reaffirmed in 2015 by world leaders who committed to democratic principles in the Sustainable Development Goals. But democracy is not a given – and in some countries, public discontent with how their governments are performing has led to reshaping of the political landscape.
Anger at political elites, economic dissatisfaction and anxiety about rapid social change have fed anti-establishment movements and upheaval in regions across the globe. In some cases, these movements have challenged the basic norms of democracy and are putting its future in jeopardy. But the good news is that even when democracies have a difficult time living up to their ideals, they are self-correcting. They have processes that can be employed by people inside and outside government to challenge backsliding.
Despite the challenges, many people still believe in the essential value of democracy and are optimistic about its ability to endure. In fact, the overwhelming majority of those surveyed in 27 nations say democracy is the best system for governing. The vast majority of people in these societies also think that their democracy provides them with freedom to express themselves and their views, gives them access to opportunity and jobs, protects their safety and the environment, and enables them to live the lives they want to lead.
A healthy democracy needs to be resilient and able to respond to changing circumstances. It must be flexible and adaptive and offer people a variety of ways to participate in their society and hold their elected officials accountable. It must also be able to handle unexpected crises and unforeseen risks, such as natural disasters or terrorism. And it must be capable of navigating cultural, technological and demographic changes that will test its durability.
The term “democracy” is derived from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (“power”). It refers to any form of government where the people have power over their own affairs and elect their governing officials. Democracies vary widely in their institutions and practices, reflecting the unique political, social and cultural characteristics of each nation.
Recent studies have found that democracy is linked to higher economic growth. A study by economists Daron Acemoglu, Suresh Naidu, Pascual Restrepo and James Robinson suggests that democracy stimulates growth because it promotes policies that boost investment and trade. These benefits, in turn, create more opportunities and a better quality of life for people all over the world.
Democracy comes in many flavors, and no one model fits all. Yet all democracies share some fundamental features. These include a rule of law that guarantees equal protection and rights to all citizens and prohibits any unwarranted deprivation of life or liberty. They also provide a transparent process for determining laws and for selecting governing officials, including elections that reflect the people’s will. Finally, they allow for a robust civic culture with open debate, free speech and participation. The ideas that make up democracy are popular around the world, as demonstrated by global polling and reaffirmed in 2015 by world leaders who committed to democratic principles in the Sustainable Development Goals. But democracy is not a given – and in some countries, public discontent with how their governments are performing has led to reshaping of the political landscape. Anger at political elites, economic dissatisfaction and anxiety about rapid social change have fed anti-establishment movements and upheaval in regions across the globe. In some cases, these movements have challenged the basic norms of democracy and are putting its future in jeopardy. But the good news is that even when democracies have a difficult time living up to their ideals, they are self-correcting. They have processes that can be employed by people inside and outside government to challenge backsliding. Despite the challenges, many people still believe in the essential value of democracy and are optimistic about its ability to endure. In fact, the overwhelming majority of those surveyed in 27 nations say democracy is the best system for governing. The vast majority of people in these societies also think that their democracy provides them with freedom to express themselves and their views, gives them access to opportunity and jobs, protects their safety and the environment, and enables them to live the lives they want to lead. A healthy democracy needs to be resilient and able to respond to changing circumstances. It must be flexible and adaptive and offer people a variety of ways to participate in their society and hold their elected officials accountable. It must also be able to handle unexpected crises and unforeseen risks, such as natural disasters or terrorism. And it must be capable of navigating cultural, technological and demographic changes that will test its durability. The term “democracy” is derived from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (“power”). It refers to any form of government where the people have power over their own affairs and elect their governing officials. Democracies vary widely in their institutions and practices, reflecting the unique political, social and cultural characteristics of each nation. Recent studies have found that democracy is linked to higher economic growth. A study by economists Daron Acemoglu, Suresh Naidu, Pascual Restrepo and James Robinson suggests that democracy stimulates growth because it promotes policies that boost investment and trade. These benefits, in turn, create more opportunities and a better quality of life for people all over the world.