Freedom and democracy are losing ground in many countries. It is not only about the big crises of the day: the atrocities of the war in Ukraine, political polarization in the United States, authoritarianism in Turkey, but also about smaller rebellions: coups in Burkina Faso, chaos driven by gangs in Haiti or continuous attacks on democracy in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Burma. And, of course, permanent autocracies disguised as democracies under the guise of elections: North Korea and Cuba.

For 50 years, Freedom House, a non-partisan non-governmental organization, has worked to chart freedom around the world with its annual Freedom in the World report. To do this, experts assign numerical values ​​to the rights of opposition parties, the empowerment of trade unions, the independence of judicial systems, among other criteria… From country to country.

Are things getting better for democracy? This year, the news is not good: for 17 years in a row, the world has been fighting against dedemocratization. Since 2006, the number of countries experiencing declines in political rights and civil liberties has outnumbered those experiencing gains. This year, political rights and civil liberties have deteriorated in 35 countries, and two are not only in decline, but have worsened: Peru moved from “free” to “partly free” and Burkina Faso from “partly free”. to “not free”.

good news? The decline is slowing: 35 countries recorded a decline in 2022, but 34 improved, the smallest difference in 17 years. Of course, it is not news to celebrate. Hundreds of years after Locke, Hobbes and Mill began to outline the vision of liberal democracy, only 43% of the world’s countries see themselves as free and democratic, and more countries are moving away from this ideal than approaching it. With these numbers, it is inevitable to think: why do governments today continue to oppress their citizens? We have corrupt leaders who trample on rights. And we have wars and coups leading to the deprivation of these rights. Democracy does not thrive in poverty or in the midst of conflict over territory or resources. What strengthens democracy? Independent institutions that provide checks and balances. Legal state. Free press. This report reminds us that democracy is flawed, but it outperforms the alternatives. Last week we received the former president of Costa Rica, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría, at the University of Espíritu Santo. Rodríguez said that it is not enough to have good governments, but strong societies are needed. Democracy, however imperfect, serves as a bridge to achieve both.

60 days from these early elections, we have to think about how to vote in order to have a good government, but also how to achieve a society that does not allow trampling on their rights and that has its own clear democratic principles.

And you, what are you not ready to give up? (OR)