In a recent report, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) highlighted the alarming decline in voter turnout and the credibility of election results globally. With the free and fair election index experiencing its sharpest drop in 2023, concerns are rising about the state of democracy worldwide.
IDEA’s Global State of Democracy indexes, based on over 100 variables, reveal a concerning trend of declining democratic performance for the eighth consecutive year. The watchdog identifies representation, rights, rule of law, and participation as key categories for assessing democratic health.
Factors such as government intimidation, electoral irregularities, and threats of foreign interference are contributing to the erosion of democratic values. Global voter participation has decreased significantly, with almost 20% of elections facing disputes over results.
While the U.S. has shown some improvement in democratic performance, challenges persist, as highlighted by a recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. With less than half of Americans trusting the fairness of the 2020 election, the country remains deeply divided.