A Global Trend Towards Democratic Government

Source: Freedom in the World 2007

There were approximately 20 democracies in 1950 out of the world’s 80 sovereign states. In 1974, about 40 of the world’s 150 countries could be called democratic. Today, according to Freedom House, there are about 120 democracies, or two thirds of the world’s 193 states.

Freedom House, however, finds that not all democratic nations are really free.

Source: Freedom in the World 2007

The global trend toward electoral democracy is clearly one that will have important implications for the 21st century, especially in terms of the way knowledge is used in defining public policy.

Read:

Democracy's Challenge

By Peter Berkowitz
on the State Department website