Cover of the V-Dem Institute Democracy Report 2026 (10th edition). The title reads “Unraveling the Democratic Era?” on a magenta banner. Below, a partially torn U.S. flag is shown against a cloudy sky, suggesting democratic strain or fragmentation. Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf
Line graph titled “USA vs. Regional Average, 1955–2025.” The y-axis shows the Liberal Democracy Index (approx. 0.4 to 0.9), and the x-axis shows years from 1955 to 2025. A black line (USA) rises steadily from the 1950s, peaks around 2010–2015 (~0.85), then declines sharply after 2016, with a steep drop again toward 2025. A dashed blue line (Western Europe and North America average) shows a smoother rise and mild recent decline, remaining above the U.S. in recent years. Grey shading indicates uncertainty intervals. Red segments mark periods of democratic decline in the U.S. A dotted horizontal line marks the 2025 U.S. level (~0.57), showing it comparable to pre-1970 levels. Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf
Line graph titled “USA vs. Prominent Autocratizers of the ‘Third Wave’.” The y-axis shows magnitude of decline in the Liberal Democracy Index (0 to about −0.5), and the x-axis shows years since the start of autocratization. Multiple lines represent countries including Hungary, Russia, Türkiye, India, and Serbia, all showing gradual democratic decline over time. A black line (USA) shows a sharp early drop within the first two years (to around −0.2), comparable in speed to early stages of autocratization in other countries. A dotted horizontal reference line highlights this early decline level. Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf
Six-panel infographic comparing global democratic trends in 2005 vs. 2025: • Number of democratizing countries: decreases from 27 (2005) to 18 (2025) • Number of autocratizing countries: increases from 12 to 44 • Freedom of expression deteriorating: rises from 7 to 44 countries • Freedom of expression improving: drops from 25 to 11 • Quality of elections deteriorating: rises from 11 to 22 • Quality of elections improving: drops from 31 to 7 Overall, the graphic shows a clear global shift from democratic improvement to democratic decline. Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf
Der neue V-Dem #DemocracyReport ist da. Die Österreicher:innen werden sich freuen, wir sind wieder eine #LiberaleDemokratie. Anderswo - Die USA sind hingegen in die 1960er Jahre zurückgefallen und dabei recht steil. Allgemein schaut‘s eher schlecht aus. @vdeminstitute.bsky.social
