We used to, back not so long ago, lament the lack of real democracy that the system offered, that for the individual the vote is almost useless when the party system produces blind obedience of elected members, regardless of what the constituents think.
But now, even that shadow of democracy has been placed under threat, according to the annual report of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). It found that 85 out of 173 countries surveyed had "suffered a decline in at least one key indicator of democratic performance in the past five years." The indicators are substantial and include, flawed elections and election fraud, to curtailed rights, including the freedom of expression and right to assembly, representation, participation and threats to the rule of law. This decline is observed in America, Europe and Asia.
IDEA proposed that the decline was linked to factors such as the wars that are occurring, the cost of living crisis, and the impacts of the Covid mandates. That is only partially true as I see it, and in some respects puts the causal cart before the horse. It would seem, for example, that the undemocratic measures seen in the Covid mandates and lockdowns were only able to be pushed through as democracy was already weakened. So, the causes must be deeper, and I have related them in past reflections to the general attack upon Western values, and the rise of Chinese communism as a challenging ideology. Leftism in the West is profoundly anti-democratic, as seen by the hatred exhibited by the Yes side of the Voice referendum when the No rolled to victory. The Left simply were not prepared to accept the voice of the Australian people.
https://www.dw.com/en/democracy-in-trouble-across-the-world-report/a-67280452
“Nearly half the countries across the world are seeing a decline in the robustness of their democracy, an international think tank said on Thursday.
In its annual report, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) said that 85 out of 173 countries surveyed had "suffered a decline in at least one key indicator of democratic performance in the past five years."
The setbacks ranged from flawed elections to curtailed rights, including the freedom of expression and right to assembly, the Stockholm-based watchdog said. Other variables included representation, participation and rule of law.
The report named "declines in social group equality in the United States, freedom of the press in Austria and access to justice in the United Kingdom," as examples of concerning developments.
"In short, democracy is still in trouble, stagnant at best, and declining in many places," IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora said.
European democracies also deteriorating
While Europe remains the highest-performing region, several established democracies including Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and the UK are deteriorating, the report said.
Meanwhile, countries such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Turkey performed well below the European average.
"This is the sixth year that we've seen more countries with democratic declines than improvements," IDEA program officer Michael Runey said.
"We're also seeing declines in historically high performing democracies in Europe and North America and in Asia."
What is behind the decline?
The think tank said the decline in democratic performance should be viewed in conjunction with the cost of living crisis, climate change and Russia's invasion of Ukraine — which posed major challenges for elected leaders.
It specifically noted a downturn tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Casas-Zamora said that despite the deterioration of institutions, he maintained hope in alternate forms of democratic checks and balances.
"But while many of our formal institutions like legislatures are weakening, there is hope that these more informal checks and balances, from journalists to election organizers and anti-corruption commissioners, can successfully battle authoritarian and populist trends," he said.”