Eleanor Finch
Democracy is a form of government where the people have a say in how they are governed, typically through elected representatives. While democratic rights have spread far and wide, they are still far from universal. According to various sources, there are between 85 and 123 electoral democracies in the world, representing between 38% and 58.2% of the global population. These democracies can take the form of republics or constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The United States is also a constitutional democracy, with its laws and fundamental principles guided by its Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutional democracies in the world | 120 of 192 countries are electoral democracies, while 85 are liberal democracies |
| Percentage of constitutional democracies in the world | 58.2% of countries are electoral democracies, while 38% are liberal democracies |
| Number of countries with a population of at least 500,000 that are democracies | 96 out of 167 |
| Percentage of countries with a population of at least 500,000 that are democracies | 57% |
| Number of countries rated as "full democracies" by the Economist Intelligence Unit | 20 |
| Percentage of countries rated as "full democracies" by the Economist Intelligence Unit | 12% |
| Number of countries rated as "flawed democracies" by the Economist Intelligence Unit | 55 |
| Percentage of countries rated as "flawed democracies" by the Economist Intelligence Unit | 33% |
| Number of countries rated as democracies by Polity in 1977 | 35 out of 143 |
| Percentage of countries rated as democracies by Polity in 1977 | 24% |
| Number of countries rated as autocracies by Polity in 1977 | 89 |
| Percentage of countries rated as autocracies by Polity in 1977 | 62% |
| Number of countries rated as democracies by Polity in 1988 | 72 out of 143 |
| Percentage of countries rated as democracies by Polity in 1988 | 50% |
| Number of countries rated as autocracies by Polity in 1987 | 75 |
| Number of countries rated as autocracies by Polity in 2017 | 15 |
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What You'll Learn
- What is a constitutional democracy?
- How many countries are constitutional democracies?
- How many constitutional democracies are there compared to autocracies?
- How is a constitutional democracy different from a direct democracy?
- How many constitutional democracies are there compared to when the Cold War ended?
What is a constitutional democracy?
A constitutional democracy is a system of government where power is held by elected representatives who govern in accordance with a set of political principles. These principles are typically outlined in a written constitution, which acts as the supreme law of the land. The authority of this constitution derives from the people, who grant the government the right to rule through their consent.
Constitutional democracies can take the form of republics or constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is constrained by constitutional law, and they often govern with the consent of elected officials. The UK, for example, has a set of documents that collectively form its constitutional rules.
A key characteristic of constitutional democracies is the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. This separation of powers acts as a check to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Constitutional democracies also recognise and protect the integrity of a private and social realm, free from unreasonable government intrusion.
In terms of numbers, according to Freedom House, there were 123 electoral democracies in 2007, representing 58.2% of the world's population. The World Forum on Democracy places this number at 120 out of 192 countries. However, it's important to note that the degree of democracy can vary, and not all electoral democracies are considered liberal democracies, which respect basic human rights and the rule of law. As of 2022, less than half of the world's population is estimated to live in a democracy.
Constitutional democracies aim to protect the rights of both the majority and minority. While "the majority rules," the fundamental rights of individuals in the minority are also safeguarded. This balance between majority rule and minority rights is a defining feature of constitutional democracy.
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How many countries are constitutional democracies?
The number of constitutional democracies in the world depends on the methodology used to define and measure democracy. According to the Freedom House classification, there were 123 electoral democracies in 2007, up from 40 in 1972. The World Forum on Democracy reports that electoral democracies now represent 120 out of 192 countries, constituting 58.2% of the world's population.
The Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index considers nearly half of the 167 countries in its 2022 report to be some form of democracy, with 20 countries (12%) rated as "full democracies" and 55 countries (33%) as "flawed democracies". The Democracy Index measures countries across 60 indicators in five categories: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. Countries with a score between 8.01 and 10 are considered full democracies, while those between 6.01 and 8.00 are classified as flawed democracies.
The Polity methodology, used by the Center for Systemic Peace and Pew Research Center, assesses 167 countries across six key factors, including openness of political participation and constraints on the chief executive, on a 21-point scale ranging from +10 ("consolidated democracy") to -10 ("hereditary monarchy"). In 2017, 96 out of 167 countries with populations of at least 500,000 (57%) were classified as democracies of some kind, with 46 countries (28%) exhibiting elements of both democracy and autocracy.
While the spread of democratic rights has grown significantly over the past two centuries, it is still far from universal. The total number of people without democratic rights is higher than ever, with almost all residing in China. Additionally, there have been recent setbacks, with many people losing political rights, such as in India, which became an electoral autocracy in 2017 according to the Regimes of the World (RoW) data.
It is important to note that the definition and measurement of democracy are complex and varied, and different methodologies may yield different results.
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How many constitutional democracies are there compared to autocracies?
Democracy and autocracy are two contrasting systems of government. While democracy is characterised by citizen rights, equality before the law, and a separation of powers, autocracy is marked by a concentration of power in a single leader or group, often with limited regard for human rights and individual freedoms.
According to Freedom House, there were 123 electoral democracies in the world in 2007, representing 120 out of 192 countries and about 58.2% of the global population at the time. Liberal democracies, defined as countries that uphold basic human rights and the rule of law, numbered 85 in 2007. As of 2022, less than half of the world's population lives in a democracy.
It is challenging to provide an exact count of autocracies due to the existence of varying degrees and subtypes of autocratic rule. Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) identifies two primary forms: closed autocracies, where the leader and legislature are not chosen through elections, and elective autocracies, which hold elections but often lack the safeguards necessary for free and fair polls. Examples of elective autocracies include Russia and India, which, despite conducting elections, have been criticised for corruption, voter intimidation, and the absence of term limits.
While the number of democracies has increased over time, the total number of people without democratic rights is higher than ever due to population growth outpacing the spread of democracy. China, in particular, stands out as the country where almost all individuals lacking democratic rights reside.
In conclusion, while there are more constitutional democracies than autocracies globally, the impact of autocratic rule extends beyond simple numbers, affecting the political attitudes, preferences, and engagement of citizens, even after a transition to democracy.
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How is a constitutional democracy different from a direct democracy?
Democracy has spread far and wide, but it is still not universal. The majority of the world's population still does not have democratic rights. While there are 193 UN member states, only 120 are electoral democracies.
A constitutional democracy is a form of representative democracy. In a constitutional democracy, citizens elect representatives to create and vote on laws for them. This is in contrast to a direct democracy, where citizens vote directly on issues.
Direct democracy is an ancient form of governance, with roots in Ancient Greece, particularly in Athens, where citizens voted as individuals. Other Greek cities followed a similar model, but none were as stable or well-documented as Athens. Later, Ancient Rome displayed aspects of both direct and indirect democracy, with the Roman popular assemblies voting on various matters, including laws and elections.
In a constitutional democracy, the people are considered to have a right to rule, but they do not rule directly. Instead, they elect representatives to govern on their behalf. This is done to protect the rights of individuals and minorities, as direct democracies can be unstable and prone to oppressing minorities. Constitutional democracies also have checks and balances in place to prevent tyranny by the majority.
Constitutional democracies can take the form of republics or constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is constrained by constitutional law, and they usually only exercise their powers with the consent of the government and the people.
In a direct democracy, citizens have more direct control over the legislative process. This can be done through referendums, where citizens can call existing legislation to a vote, or propose new laws or constitutional reforms. Direct democracy can also take the form of citizens' assemblies, where citizens come together to discuss complex policy questions and come to well-reasoned conclusions.
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How many constitutional democracies are there compared to when the Cold War ended?
The Cold War was followed by decolonisation, and most of the newly independent states adopted nominally democratic constitutions. By 1960, most country-states were nominal democracies, although many experienced sham elections and other forms of subterfuge. In the 1970s, major democracies in Western Europe and North America began to lower the voting age to 18. According to Freedom House, there were 40 electoral democracies in 1972, a number that rose to 123 in 2007.
The end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union marked the fall of communism and the rise of independent states that adopted a democratic system. The emergence of democratic states in the post-Cold War era has influenced international relations and led to a receding number of major conflicts between great powers. The USA became the sole world superpower, and liberal ideology and democracy gained influence in the international sphere. The structure of a democratic state also makes it harder for the head of state to declare war.
However, the share of weaker electoral democracies has grown significantly since 2006, and democratic backsliding in the 2010s has been attributed to economic inequality, social discontent, government manipulation of civil society, foreign disinformation campaigns, racism, and other factors. As of 2020, authoritarianism and populism are on the rise around the world, and the number of people living in democracies is lower than at the end of the Cold War.
While democratic rights have spread far, they are still far from universal. Almost all of the people without democratic rights reside in China, which has consolidated authoritarian rule. As of 2022, less than half the world's population lives in a democracy.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 120 electoral democracies out of 192 countries, according to the World Forum on Democracy. However, the number of constitutional democracies is harder to ascertain as the definition of democracy is debated, and many countries have a mix of democratic and non-democratic characteristics.
A constitutional democracy is a system of government where the fundamental principles and laws are guided by a constitution. Constitutional democracies can be republics or constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom.
A republic is a government in which power is held by both the people and their elected representatives, with power limited by the laws established in a formal constitution. A constitutional democracy can be a type of republic, as in the case of the United States, which is considered both a republic and a constitutional democracy.
