Global Survey: Values of Democracy Remain Strong

Expert worries about China offering an alternative to democracy

As the American and French presidents celebrated the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, a smaller event showcased the special tie between the two allies in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and shined a light on the state of democracy worldwide.

The nonprofit International Republican Institute (IRI) and the French think tank Fondapol, along with Brazilian nonprofit República do Amanhã, released their report titled “Democracies Under Pressure.” A global survey of 42 countries in 33 languages, the survey interviewed over 36,000 people on their views of democracy, freedom, and common political issues like immigration.

“Regarding our survey, the principles of democracy remain widely endorsed,” said Fondapol executive director Dominique Reynie. “However, several negative indications have caught our attention.”

According to the survey, people under the age of 35 are more likely than those 60 and older to think it’s a good idea to have the government controlled by a strongman (38 percent to 23 percent), by experts who decide what is best for the country (69 percent to 45 percent), and by the armed forces (31 percent to 11 percent).