Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has increasingly taken on the features of a dictatorship, according to a study by the British analyst firm Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). More than any other country, the country has suffered a crackdown on critics and the media.
“Russia has long distanced itself from democracy and now shows many of the characteristics of a dictatorship,” reads the exact wording. In general, democratic standards have improved worldwide – including with the lifting of protective measures against Covid – according to the Democracy Index for 2022 presented Thursday. However, negative developments prevented a larger positive effect.
Hardly “full democracies”
Countries such as Burkina Faso, which fights jihadist-motivated violence, and Haiti after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, have dropped in the index. More than a third of the world’s population (36.9 percent) lives under authoritarian rule, most of them in China and Russia, the study found.
According to the study, just like last year, about 45 percent of the world’s population lives in a democracy. After lifting population restrictions to contain the Covid pandemic, the study classified Chile, France and Spain as “full democracies”. In total, only eight percent of the world’s population lives in a country with this top score.
Norway in first place, Afghanistan in last place
The first three places in the index for the reference year 2022 are occupied by Norway, New Zealand and Iceland, the last three countries are North Korea, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
