Your current location:HOME >entertainment >Democracy declines for 20th consecutive year, advocacy group says 正文
TIME:2024-05-01 10:19:20 Source: Internet compilationEdit:entertainment
Democratic governance declined for the 20th year in a row last year in a region stretching from Cent
Democratic governance declined for the 20th year in a row last year in a region stretching from Central Europe to Central Asia, according to Freedom House's annual Nations in Transitreport, released Thursday.
The report from the Washington advocacy group, which covers democratic trends, describes a shift toward authoritarian rule and a "geopolitical reordering" of the region. That reordering is splitting the region into a transatlantic pro-democracy bloc and an autocratic, anti-democracy bloc, it says.
Democratic principles suffered setbacks in 10 of the 29 countries in the region, the report says. It identifies deepening authoritarian rule, expanding authoritarian aggression and a strong need for global democratic leadership to stem these threats.
Despite the trend, the report found that most democracies maintained democratic standards at home.
It noted that Poland, although facing democratic backsliding, was able to change course during a high-turnout election last October, and that its ability to recover will be "crucial for the future of the wider region."
Another finding is that hybrid regimes, which are known for containing both democratic and autocratic traits, are at a crossroads.
As countries in the region are moving into distinctly autocratic or democratic blocs, countries with hybrid regimes could go either way and 2024 could be a consequential year, the report says. This will be the biggest election year in recorded history, with about half the world's population in more than 50 countries heading to the polls.
Mike Smeltzer, the senior research analyst for the Nations in Transitreport and one of the two co-authors, described the crossroads during a webinar Thursday. He described three camps: democratizing hybrids, autocratizing hybrids and cyclical hybrids.
Autocratizing hybrids include countries such as Serbia and Georgia and are marked by governing institutions that are "increasingly captured by ruling parties and abused for partisan or personal gain," said Smeltzer.
Commitment to reform
Democratizing hybrids, which include Ukraine and Kosovo, have "more genuine political pluralism and … [have] shown a real commitment to the reform and strengthening of democratic institutions."
Smeltzer said shifts to democratizing hybrids are often "the result of an external catalyzing event like aggression from an authoritarian power.”
“Nowhere is this truer than in Ukraine," he continued, noting steps it took last year to improve the effectiveness of its courts and anti-corruption bodies.
The report found that Ukraine is the only country out of the 11 hybrid regimes in the region that improved its democracy.
The final group is cyclical hybrids, in which regimes "may ricochet between democratic and autocratic breakthroughs without ever seeming to achieve a full consolidation in either direction," Smeltzer said. This includes countries such as Albania and Armenia.
Outside these groups are consolidated authoritarian regimes such as Russia and Azerbaijan, which Smeltzer said not only resisted movement toward democracy after the Cold War but have also "intensified the repression and worked to thwart democratization efforts elsewhere."
The report outlined multiple recommendations to reverse the trend of declining democracy in the region. These recommendations include making rule of law a strategic priority, helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia, holding autocrats accountable, supporting voter education on obstacles to reform, and supporting human rights defenders while in exile and in their home countries.
Panelist David Kramer, former president of Freedom House and current executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, highlighted support for Ukraine as the most important policy recommendation for protecting global democracy and reversing trends seen over the past two decades.
"If we don't help Ukraine win, those other recommendations won't amount to too much," Kramer said. "We will see the Russian threat roll on throughout the region, and we will see other authoritarian regimes feel emboldened as a result of the West's abandonment of Ukraine."
The report also highlighted increased cooperation among autocracies. It said that consolidated authoritarian regimes "have actively supported one another in evading sanctions, crushing domestic opposition, and blunting any accountability for military aggression and other violations of international law."
Nevertheless, the panelists were not despondent. They said Ukraine's resilience, the large turnout at Poland's recent election, and the overall failure of authoritarian governments to deliver on their promises to citizens are reasons to be hopeful for the future of democracy.
PGA Tour goes to Dallas for same course and new title. LIV Golf plays in Singapore2024-05-01 10:10
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box office2024-05-01 10:02
Michael Harris II hits an RBI double in the 10th inning to lift Braves past Marlins 42024-05-01 09:44
US growth likely slowed last quarter but still pointed to a solid economy2024-05-01 09:42
Analysis: McIlroy had a blast in New Orleans. It was just what he needed2024-05-01 09:16
Pesce's injury could mean a larger role for DeAngelo in the playoffs for the Hurricanes2024-05-01 09:16
Anze Kopitar scores in overtime, Kings beat Oilers 52024-05-01 08:53
12 provincial2024-05-01 08:50
Want to avoid Alzheimer's? What the experts do themselves to slash their risk of getting the memory2024-05-01 07:39
Cubs OF Cody Bellinger sidelined by two fractured ribs on his right side2024-05-01 07:35
EMMA COWING: Humza Yousaf's obsession with gender politics showed an absolute contempt for women2024-05-01 10:18
Travis Kelce laughs at girlfriend Taylor Swift getting 'Punk'd' by Justin Bieber in 20122024-05-01 10:15
Xizang reports soaring exports of local agricultural specialties in Q12024-05-01 10:03
Khloe Kardashian surprises her daughter True, 6, with second cat as a birthday gift2024-05-01 09:54
Malian army says it killed an Islamic State group commander who attacked U.S., Niger forces2024-05-01 09:14
Authorities confirm 2nd victim of ex2024-05-01 09:11
Hamas releases video showing well2024-05-01 08:53
Portugal marks the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution army coup that brought democracy2024-05-01 08:38
Bank of America, PNC, Citizens and Chase behind latest branch closures2024-05-01 07:54
Hamas releases video showing well2024-05-01 07:52