NO JOKE : 71 % OF HUMANS ARE LIVING UNDER AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES In a world of glitter & make belief, everything is done to make us forget that the consequences of remaining silent in the face of injustice was already explicit in the ‘First They Came’ quote. It still serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of apathy and the importance of speaking out against oppression, even when it does not directly affect us.

One of the most recognized versions dates from post WW2… First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me.

The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute's 2024 report presents a concerning figure, stating that 71% of the global population, or approximately 5.7 billion people, live under autocratic regimes. This represents a 48% increase compared to a decade ago, underscoring the expanding reach of authoritarian governance.

Source : https://www.democracywithoutborders.org/31900/democracy-declined-in-42-countries-in-2023-new-v-dem-report-says/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

In contrast, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) 2023 Democracy Index, approximately 39.4% of the world's population lives under authoritarian regimes. This equates to nearly 3.1 billion people residing in countries where political pluralism is limited, civil liberties are restricted, and democratic institutions are often absent or ineffective. https://www.economistgroup.com/press-centre/economist-intelligence/eius-2023-democracy-index-conflict-and-polarisation-drive-a-new-low-for?utm_source=chatgpt.com These varying assessments underscore the complex and evolving nature of global political systems, with a significant portion of the world's population experiencing limitations on democratic freedoms and civil liberties. The EIU categorizes countries into four regime types: • Full democracies: 6.6% of the global population • Flawed democracies: 38.4% • Hybrid regimes: 15.7% • Authoritarian regimes: 39.2%Democracy Without Borders+1Wikipedia+1 Similarly, Freedom House's "Freedom in the World 2024" report indicates that only 20% of the world's population lives in countries rated as "Free," while 40% reside in "Not Free" nations. This represents the 19th consecutive year of global freedom decline, driven by factors such as election manipulation, political violence, and armed conflict.
The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute's 2024 report further underscores this trend, estimating that 71% of the global population, or approximately 5.7 billion people, currently live under autocratic regimes. This constitutes a 48% increase compared to a decade ago.

Source : https://www.dianaswednesday.com/2024/04/government-governance-autocracy-democracy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com These reports collectively highlight a significant and ongoing shift toward authoritarian governance worldwide, emphasizing the need for renewed commitment to democratic principles and institutions.

Source : https://www.reuters.com/world/democracy-heads-into-2025-bloodied-unbowed-2024-12-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com