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LIFESTYLE

The Global Expansion

of Authoritarian Rule

DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS

COMPILED BY JOSH TRUTER, WITH EXTRACTS FROM A REPORT BY SARAH REPUCCI AND AMY SLIPOWITZ

he United Nations was and institutions meant to support As of today, some 38% of the global
established in 1945, shortly basic liberties, and are providing aid population live in ‘Not Free’ countries,
after the end of World War ll. Its to others who wish to do the same. the highest proportion since 1997.
Taims are to contribute to global In countries with long-established Only about 20% now live in ‘Free’
peace and security – and to protect democracies, internal forces have countries, as defined by the Freedom
human rights by making society exploited the shortcomings in their of the World Report.
a safer place – free from crime, systems, distorting national politics
corruption, terrorism, drug peddling to achieve unbridled power among WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?
and substance abuses. Initially, the ruling elite. Those countries that Democracy is more than merely an
there were 51 member countries have struggled in the space between ideal. It represents a form of self-
that supported the vision of the UN. democracy and authoritarianism government in which human rights
The UN website now shows that, of are increasingly tilting toward the are recognised and every individual is
the 195 countries in the world, 193 latter. The global order is nearing entitled to equal treatment under law.
countries are on its list of members. a tipping point, and if democracy’s Its intention is to have a system of
defenders do not work together to help government that holds those in power
HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER THREAT guarantee freedom for all people, the and all the government institutions
The UN states that it is committed to authoritarian model will prevail. accountable to the citizens of the
protecting human rights, yet reports country, who should have equal rights,
compiled by Freedom House** THE SWINGING PENDULUM regardless of their race, gender,
(www.freedomhouse.org) indicate At the end of the Cold War, it religious beliefs or living conditions.
that human rights worldwide are appeared that totalitarianism had All citizens, including [or, rather,
being systematically eroded. A at last been vanquished and liberal especially] the leaders voted into
glance at the world map included democracy had won the great power, should adhere to the rule of the
in the Freedom of the World Report ideological battle of the 20th Century. country’s democratically-formulated
published annually shows just how But now, it is democracy that finds laws that should be based on the
deluded we are when we assume itself battered and weakened. fundamentals of human rights.
that most countries respect human
rights. Around the world, the enemies The present threat to democracy is HOW DOES AN AUTOCRATIC/
of liberal democracy are accelerating the product of 16 consecutive years TOTALITARIAN SOCIETY
their attacks. Authoritarian regimes of decline in global freedom. A total COMPARE?
have become more effective at co- of 60 countries suffered declines over According to the definition stated in
opting or circumventing the norms the past year, while only 25 improved. Wikipedia, autocracy is a system of

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