A report recently published by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) indicates a concerning trend among global citizens: a lack of confidence in their political systems and the credibility of elections. Highlighting findings from 19 countries and regions including Brazil, Denmark, India, and the US, the study reveals that many citizens may increasingly favor a strong, undemocratic leader.
Interestingly, out of the countries surveyed, only six had a majority of respondents who demonstrated an unfavorable perspective towards an authoritarian leader who does not need to engage with parliament or elections. Denmark, which secures the second position in the International IDEA’s Global State of Democracy (GSoD) rankings 2023, also manifested this trend, which is considerable considering a significant number (almost half the world’s population) scheduled to participate in nationwide elections this year.
Furthermore, the study reveals that over half of the respondents in 11 out of the 19 countries surveyed lack confidence in the results of their most recent elections. This sentiment is particularly pronounced among minorities and low-income communities. Perturbingly, citizen satisfaction with their governments is also low, with less than half of the respondents from 17 of the 19 surveyed countries expressing satisfaction.
Equally worrying, equal access to justice appears to be another serious concern with fewer than one-third of respondents across 18 of the 19 countries believing in their courts’ capacity to deliver such justice. Only in Denmark did a majority of people express satisfaction with their court system.
Outlook towards the future of their countries prominently features pessimism, with majorities in only four countries believing that they are better off than their parents. Despite this, it is encouraging that more than half of respondents felt their freedom of expression is secured in most countries. However, countries such as Colombia, Pakistan, Romania, and Senegal are noted exceptions.
In response to these findings, the International IDEA concluded, “It is clear that democratic institutions are falling short of people’s expectations.” One of its recommendations is to integrate public perceptions more systematically into expert evaluations, particularly those from marginalized communities. Furthermore, it emphasized urging policymakers to value public opinion alongside expert insights in analyzing the state of democracy.
Founded in 1995, the International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization based in Stockholm, comprising 35 member states, dedicated to promoting sustainable democracy worldwide.
For a detailed exploration, refer to the full report on Jurist.org.