The deterioration of democracy is part of a trend that is global and pervasive.

Approximately a third of the world population now lives under authoritarian rule. At the end of 2023, there were 18 countries turning toward democracy. They represented 5% of the world’s population. There were 42 countries, representing 35% of the world’s population, turning toward autocracy.

Today, democratic reversals are happening in mature, consolidated democracies such as the U.S., India, Brazil, and Greece, as well as newer democracies that were once considered stable like Hungary and Poland.

Over 70% of these global shifts have been driven not by military coups but leader activities that undermine the checks and balances on power with tactics such as packing courts, impeaching or intimidating judges,

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