In the decades after World War II, the United Nations and other international institutions promoted the notion of fundamental rights, and democracies offered support-however unevenly-in their domestic and foreign policies as they strove to create an open international system built on shared resistance to totalitarianism. Only about 20 percent now live in Free countries.ĭuring this period of democratic decline, checks on abuse of power and human rights violations have eroded. As of today, some 38 percent of the global population live in Not Free countries, the highest proportion since 1997. A total of 60 countries suffered declines over the past year, while only 25 improved. The present threat to democracy is the product of 16 consecutive years of decline in global freedom. The global order is nearing a tipping point, and if democracy’s defenders do not work together to help guarantee freedom for all people, the authoritarian model will prevail. Those countries that have struggled in the space between democracy and authoritarianism, meanwhile, are increasingly tilting toward the latter. In countries with long-established democracies, internal forces have exploited the shortcomings in their systems, distorting national politics to promote hatred, violence, and unbridled power. Authoritarian regimes have become more effective at co-opting or circumventing the norms and institutions meant to support basic liberties, and at providing aid to others who wish to do the same.
Around the world, the enemies of liberal democracy-a form of self-government in which human rights are recognized and every individual is entitled to equal treatment under law-are accelerating their attacks. Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs.
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