What are some superpowers and emerging countries deciding now
have transitioned
to more democratic governments
but the degree of democratic freedom varies (🌎 comparison of an authoritarian an democratic system);
the protection of human rights
and degree of freedom of speech varies
How is freedom of speech (democracy index) measured
- Electoral process
- Pluralism (how decision making takes into account different perspectives)
- Civil liberties (laws established only for the good of the community)
- Functioning of government
- Political culture
Why are some democracy index scores declining
- 2008 recession led to unrest and less strong governance around the world
- More insecurity, more extremism
- More nationalism and populism, and corruption
- Internet has created echo chambers and fuelled conspiracies
Why is america’s deomgraphic freedom declining
- Decline began in the 1960s
- Vietnam War / Civil rights
- Assassination of Martin Luther King
- Assassination of Pres. Kennedy
- Watergate scandal1972(The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by members of the Nixon administration) - He resigned.
- Clinton affair
- Wars in the Middle East
- Financial Crisis
- Legislative gridlock in Washington
2020 election, storming the Capital - Self interest > statehood
Who publishes the freedom world index?
- Published by Freedom House
- Ranks countries as ‘free’, ‘partly free’ and ‘not free
Define full democracy
civil liberties and political freedoms fully respected and protected (19 countries: Norway, Canada, UK)
Define flawed democracy
elections are fair and civil liberties are protected, but there are problems, e.g. the media may not be free (57 countries: South Korea, South Africa, USA, India)
Define hybrid regimes
elections are not free and fair, the legal system is not independent of the government and corruption is widespread (38 countries: Turkey, Bangladesh)
Define authoritarian regimes
dictatorship, or systems where elections are meaningless; civil liberty abuses are common and the legal system is not independent. Media censored (52 countries: Russia, China, Saudi Arabia)
LOOK AT 8A.5B CHINA VS INDIA DEMOCRACY COMPARISON
MM
china vs india
CHINA:
Religious freedom: Christianity is barely tolerated, and Communist party members must be atheist. Buddhism and Islam are suppressed - hundred of thousands of native Uighur Muslims are locked up in camps.
Freedom of speech: ‘Subversion of state power’ is used to crack down on dissenting voices; the internet is censored.
Political freedom: The Chinese Communist Party is, in practice, the only political party that exists.
Freedom of the press: Not free. Media are monitored by the Communist Party and subject to government direction.
INDIA:
Religious freedom: Despite religious freedom, religious violence and intolerance is common between Hindu, Muslim and Sikh groups.
Freedom of speech: Generally upheld: anti-government and single-issue protests are common, but so is police violence.
Political freedom: There are about 2,000 political parties in India, and its hotly contested elections are the largest democratic ones in the world.
Freedom of the press: There are numerous, privately owned media organisations that have reduced the influence of the government
