The Freedom House Survey for 2016: The Dual Threat of Populists and Autocrats

Issue Date April 2017
Volume 28
Issue 2
Page Numbers 105-119
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The latest edition of Freedom in the World finds that countries suffering declines in political rights and civil liberties outnumbered those with gains for an 11th consecutive year in 2016. Populist and nationalist political forces made astonishing gains in democratic states, while authoritarian powers engaged in brazen acts of aggression, and grave atrocities went unanswered in war zones across two continents. These developments point to a growing danger that the current international order will give way to a world in which leaders and nations pursue their own narrow interests without regard for the shared benefits of global peace and freedom.

About the Authors

Arch Puddington

Arch Puddington is distinguished fellow for democracy studies at Freedom House.

View all work by Arch Puddington

Tyler Roylance

Tyler Roylance is staff editor at Freedom House.

View all work by Tyler Roylance