This is the “year of elections” around the globe: more people will cast votes in their nations’ elections than any other year in human history. And so far, democracies are faring pretty well.
This year, a record number of people around the globe will cast ballots. About half the world’s population lives in countries where an election will choose their next leader. Thus far, it appears that democracy has been making a good showing. Where elections have been fair, voters have been holding their leaders accountable and seeking more freedom, not less. Such was the case in India, Turkey, Senegal, South Africa, and Iran. Furthermore, polls show that people prefer democracy over other forms of government—especially in countries that don’t have it. In a 24-country poll last year, an overwhelming majority called democracy a “good” or “very good” system, 71% rejected one-person rule, and 83% rejected military rule. In Africa, the fastest growing continent, a recent survey showed two-thirds prefer democracy and fault their leaders for not delivering it. Nevertheless, violence continues to mar many elections. So far this year, violence has shown up in Mexico, India, South Africa, France, and even the United States. It is also true that many elections have not been legitimate—Venezuela just had a fictitious election by all counts. Nonetheless the authoritarians feel obliged to make it look like they had an election, which is a sign of progress.
The strong showing of democracy reflects the longest-term, broadest trend—an archtrend toward people having more say in their own futures. Once a society is secure from chaos and violence, people innately pursue this goal—the strongman is no longer needed to keep order. People, however, do have to believe that democracy works. Authoritarians go to great lengths to make their subjects think otherwise, but this year, it seems that message isn’t working.
So while democracy is being challenged, especially in Europe, it has not yet been defeated. While authoritarianism has been on the rise for more than a decade, most people in the world still prefer democracy. We’ll still have to wait and see what the second half of the year brings, though.
Source:
“In this “Year of Elections,” Democracy is Holding Its Own,” Washington Post, 28 July 2024, A19; see also https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/07/26/democracy-authoritarianism-elections-liberalism/
Photo: Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters
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