Is the world becoming more democratic?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
Democracy is a system of government where power belongs to the people. What portion (more or less) of the world’s countries are electoral democracies?
Describe one long term trend in global democracy (since about 1800) that you see in the data above.
Describe one short term trend in global democracy (since about 2000) that you see in the data above.
Based on the visual above, predict the state of global democracy in 50 years (more, less, the same, way more, none, etc).
List one thing the chart above makes you wonder:
The word Democracy comes from Greek for “rule by the people,” which means that ultimate political power belongs to the people. Michael Mandelbaum, the democracy scholar and author of Democracy’s Good Name, argues that a country is only truly democratic if everyone is guaranteed free and fair elections (where everyone’s vote is roughly equal) and civil rights (the right to vote or have a fair trial, for example) and civil liberties (think freedom of speech) for all. Define Democracy in your own words.
V-Dem characterizes electoral democracy (as shown in the visual above*) as a political system in which political leaders are elected under comprehensive voting rights in free and fair elections, and freedoms of association and expression are guaranteed. More specifically, this means:
Elected political leaders: broad elections choose the chief executive and legislature
Comprehensive voting rights: all adult citizens have the legal right to vote in national elections
Free and fair elections: no election violence, government intimidation, fraud, large irregularities, and vote buying
Freedom of association: parties and civil society organizations can form and operate freely
Freedom of expression: people can voice their views and the media can present different political perspectives
Explain which of these five democratic characteristics you believe is most important.
200 years ago, almost every person on the planet lacked democratic rights. Now, billions of people have them. Speculate about the causes of the expansion of democracy, and list one reason for the change in global democracy you identified in the visual above.
Billions of people live in undemocratic countries. What would you tell them are the best and worst thing about democracy.
As we have discovered, democracies all have free and fair elections and protect individuals’ civil rights and civil liberties. According to democracy experts, in recent years, American democracy has been under strain. In fact, since 2016 we have experience a backslide in American democracy. What do you think the government or the people could do to strengthen and increase American democracy.
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact President Donald J, Trump and suggest one thing he could do to strengthen American democracy.
Get Creative
Breaking news: 2032 - America votes to no longer be democratic. (Wait…what?) Create an imaginary advertisement for the anti-democracy side in that election. You can just write out the script for your ad or you can make an actual video for the ad.
