Democracy Around the World

Each region in the world confronts its own challenges to its the consolidation of democracy. Western Europe and the United States continue to serve as stalwarts of democratic principles, although campaign finance issues continue to present challenges to its health. East and Central represent emerging democratic leaders. In the Americas, the last 20 years has seen an enormous shift from authoritarianism to democracy in the majority of the continent, although recent political struggles in places like Venezuela indicate that democracy’s consolidation remains incomplete in the region. Africa has experienced numerous advances in the 90’s and there has been increased optimism, although many countries still face the continued challenge of real state-building, national identity and ethnicity in their efforts to build a democratic political environment. In Asia, the little dragons are struggling to keep high levels of growth while increasing popular participation, and although the region has experienced increased democratization overall, much work remains to be done.