Administered by:
Only 8% of the world’s population actually lives in a full, functioning democracy, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Meanwhile, another 37% of people live in some type of “flawed democracy” like the US.
The State of Democracy Around the World
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/state-of-democracy-around-the-world-2023/
@AlisonCreekside Some parts of the US probably shouldn't even qualify as flawed democracies. Places like Tennessee and Wisconsin are effectively one-party states.
@bodhipaksa @AlisonCreekside parts of Mexico are more democratic than some states in the U.S.
@bodhipaksa US currently in 30th spot in the world in democracy.
I can't access their full criteria for scaling rankings so don't know if it obtains at state level. Presumably so.
Notable that in the whole of the Americas, only Canada, Uruguay, Chile, & Costa Rica get full democracy rankings - but again, caution on criteria.
@AlisonCreekside Why Portugal? Niger is not actual…
@AlisonCreekside they need to reclassify Canada as flawed democracy: non-elected senate and the Notwithstanding clause #cdnpoli
@canayjun Rankings based on a point system. Canada is at 8.8, not 10.
@AlisonCreekside ok, def not 8.8 out of 10 though. There isn’t even proportional representation.
@canayjun @AlisonCreekside
I moved to BC, Canada from the States, and it’s definitely corrupt and the inequality is really discouraging
But I guess I can see how maybe in total parts of the States score might bring the average down?
Or Canada may hide it well
@AccordionBruce our politicians are really good at pointing at other countries and yelling, Squirrel!
@canayjun @AlisonCreekside
The US has greater civil rights if you’re #Disabled
#Canada has nothing near as strong as the #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct
Instead we have “universal” healthcare that encourages #euthanasia
@AccordionBruce @AlisonCreekside well; we have the canadian human rights act and accessible canada act ahem
@jstark @AlisonCreekside
The ADA is so much stronger than either of those
It’s not nearly as good as it needs to be
But we did construction on a publicly funded building here and I was shocked that the front steps didn’t have to be accessible
I just assumed like it would be in the States
I’m no expert at all, but it’s one area I’ve legitimately seen the US have something to hold over Canadians
@AccordionBruce @AlisonCreekside as 1 who talks with both govs I think it's fair to say that you are experiencing a grass is greener syndrome
@AlisonCreekside why is Scotland the same colour as England when the levels of democracy are different? Regardless of its vote, Scotland is almost always governed by the party that England votes for. Scotland's elected parliament can be prevented from making its own laws by that English-chosen UK government. Scotland cannot hold a referendum without permission from England. Scots have had fundamental rights removed against their vote, and we may yet have some of our human rights removed.
@paulb3017 Thank you. I'm from Glasgow.
"A Grand Challenge
My friends, the simple truth is that we are wasting our precious time, resources, intellect, and passion. As a species we are just as aimless today as when our primitive ancestors first ventured out upon this earth.
Today I am proposing that for the first time in human history, we change that.
Radically.
More than any time in history, humanity needs a grand challenge. Not only to avert its extinction, but also to indelibly etch the common bond of mutual reliance and cooperation on current and future generations.
Fortunately, all of the forces that now seem to conspire against us can quickly be turned to our advantage.
For the first time in human history we actually possess technologies so advanced that any physical problem can potentially be solved.
And yet, I wonder, do we possess the will and wisdom to utilize them for our salvation instead of our destruction?
I propose that we find out.
So today I offer you a radical and stark choice between two future realities.
An aimless future of continued war and conflict, with all its accompanying suffering and death; or a limitless future dedicated to defeating suffering and death itself, with all its accompanying technological advancement and social evolution.
Yes indeed, I have a new plan, for all of you. A plan of hope. A plan of adventure. A plan of such extraordinary magnitude as to take the breath, and challenge the senses, of all who would consider it. A plan to bind our common people in hope, and finally free our conscience for noble purpose.
I propose that in the next three decades we at last end the scourge of human disease upon this Earth, and begin the inevitable adventure of humanity's migration beyond it.
We shall at last unlock the fundamental secrets of our biology so we may conquer any illness or defect at will, and we shall free ourselves from the bonds of our native home so we may evade global calamities, and begin the expansion of our species beyond this world.
No longer shall our survival be dependent upon the random and dispassionate forces of nature. No longer shall we quiver in anguish as we helplessly watch those we love suffer and die in agony from an endless list of human disease and dysfunction. No longer shall our globe be divided in constant turmoil and conflict while the hammer of fate hangs precariously balanced over all we know and love.
We shall at last take control of our future, our fate, and ourselves.
No other endeavor ever attempted by humankind will require more genius, dedication, compassion, and sacrifice.
And no other endeavor ever attempted by humankind will be more vital to the continued existence of our species.
I understand that for many this may initially seem like pure science fiction. This is to be expected since the scales of the threats we face reside within the scope of what we have always considered to be science fiction. However, in reality, all of these goals are well within our technological reach. They are the quickest, and I believe only, way for our species to battle both the physical and societal threats that will continue to confront us."
SearingTruth, A Future of the Brave, 2005
@AlisonCreekside
The UK is by no means a full democracy. Flawed democracy at best. Interesting to see the distribution though.
@IrkedAngua@kitty.social@MostlyTato@mstdn.social
Exactly. We rate similarly to the USA.
As long as Ministers can issue Statutory Instruments to override Parliamentary votes, THAT is Dictatorship.
As long as a Government wonk can brazenly state that a disputed law on voter registration WAS Gerrymandering but it didn't work and don't bother me peasants - THAT is Dictatorship.
The list goes on.
The UK is a Constitutional Monarchy / Representational Democracy.
IE not remotely Democratic, such ideas are dismissed as "Populism".
LAST time someone in authority challenged the supremacy of Parliament, we had a Civil War.
He lost his head and we endured a Puritan Protectorate for far too long.
@AlisonCreekside@mstdn.ca
@AlisonCreekside @hannu_ikonen I see they've misfiled the UK (should be in the same bin as the US, at best). Same with AUS, I think.
@AlisonCreekside haha the Economist thinks monarchies are full democracies
@AlisonCreekside Not at all worrying. Finally the UK’s lobbying system is called out for what it is:- a system for buying votes.