Democracy Fights Back: 84 Countries Now Free, Up From 44 in 1973
Democracy has nearly doubled worldwide over the past 50 years. Freedom House reports 84 of 195 countries are now rated "Free," up from just 44 of 148 countries in 1973.
The numbers tell a story of progress under pressure. When Freedom House started tracking global freedom in 1973, fewer than one in three countries were considered free. Today, that number has climbed to nearly half of all nations.
But democracy faces its biggest test in decades. Former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul calls this "the biggest, hardest fight for consolidating and preserving democratic institutions" in his lifetime. Authoritarian leaders worldwide are pushing back against democratic movements.
Activists aren't backing down. The World Movement for Democracy formed 20 years ago when over 400 democracy advocates gathered in New Delhi, India. The group adapts to meet each era's biggest threats to freedom.
Photojournalists like Matthew Connors have documented this global struggle, capturing scenes of people confronting authoritarian power from country to country. Their images show ordinary citizens fighting for the freedoms many take for granted.
Your freedoms depend on this global fight. When democracy weakens anywhere, it threatens basic rights like free speech, fair elections, and protection from government abuse everywhere.
Watch for more confrontations between democratic movements and authoritarian governments worldwide.
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