The Economist’s Democracy Index annually calculates the state of democracy in over 150 countries. The calculations are done in five separate categories: election process, government function, political culture, participation in government, and the protection of civil liberties. On a ten-point scale, with ten being the best, the countries that fall in between 8.0 and 10.0 are “full democracies”, whereas those that are rated just below (6.0 – 7.99) are “flawed democracies”. In 2019, the Democracy Index was updated, and the United States of America was given a rank of 7.96 on the 10 point scale. This may shake the foundation of the very idea of Democracy that many Americans inherently associate with their own country.
Is Democracy in danger? Do we have true liberty and freedom? Well, yes and no. First, let’s look at the facts. America was first downgraded to a ‘flawed democracy’ in 2015. The one category that seems to have dragged down America’s overall score is a 7.14 under Functioning of Government. The Civil Liberties category gave the United States an 8.14, and the highest-scoring category was, by far, the country’s Electoral Process (9.14). This November, despite the long period that it took to declare a winner in the 2020 Election, the United States proved that its voting process is one of a true Democracy, where everyone has the opportunity for their voice to be heard. In this election, well above 140,000,000 people voted in the United States. Where is there room to improve? America’s Political Culture was given a rating of 7.50 due to the immense political partisanship that the U.S. has experienced at heightened levels during the Trump presidency. It is the job of both this country’s government and its citizens to unify this nation and restore democracy.
Despite the many flaws in the United States right now, the Democracy Index seems to acknowledge that the most important, the fundamental aspects of democracy remain alive and well. Once again, this year’s voter turnout is proof that the electoral system in the United States is Democratic. Similarly, the basic rights of speech, press, and assembly continue to be cherished by the majority. Although there’s a lot of work to be done, America remains a Democratic nation with plenty to celebrate.
