Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Terry Glavin: Democracy is in retreat, and that works fine for Carney

This is the world as it is, apparently

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

We’re now in the 20th consecutive year of freedom’s retreat around the world, says the venerable American institution Freedom House, and the current backsliding has lasted longer than the descent into fascism during the 1930s. Established in 1941 to persuade Americans to join the fight against the Nazis, Freedom House has been closely tracking democracy’s ebbs and flows since 1973. Among the findings in its latest annual report:

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Military coups, the suppression of peaceful protest and the consolidation of executive power combined to damage a wide array of fundamental freedoms in countries around the world last year. The citizens of 54 countries experienced a deterioration in their political and civil rights. Among the diminishing ranks of the world’s countries Freedom House rates as “free,” the decline of democratic rigour in the United States was greater than in any other nation state.

Terry Glavin: Democracy is in retreat, and that works fine for Carney Back to video

This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

This is not just some isolated opinion.

The V-Dem Institute for Democracy also published its annual report last week. Based at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the V-Dem Institute takes an even harsher view. V-Dem’s trend-analysis database reaches all the way back to the French Revolution in 1789, and here’s V-Dem’s assessment of the state of........

© National Post