Voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are expressing skepticism about the fairness of their political elections and showing a preference for strong, undemocratic leaders, according to a study released by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
The report highlighted that democratic institutions are not meeting people's expectations, signaling a need for a shift in conversations about the future of democracy. The surveys, conducted in 17 countries with around 1,500 respondents each, revealed that in many nations, less than half of the population is satisfied with their governments.
Notably, support for a 'strong leader' who bypasses parliamentary and electoral processes was observed in eight countries, with India and Tanzania standing out for their relatively high levels of approval for such leadership.
Only in four countries do a majority of respondents believe they are economically better off than their parents, indicating widespread economic concerns. Additionally, the study found that minorities in most countries are more doubtful about the credibility of electoral processes.
In terms of judicial systems, less than half of the people in 18 countries believe that courts consistently provide access to justice. Interestingly, Iraqis demonstrated more faith in access to justice compared to Americans, with Denmark being the only country where a majority feel that courts offer equal access to justice.
The surveys, conducted by YouGov and GeoPoll, covered a range of countries including Brazil, India, the United States, and others. International IDEA, established in 1995, aims to identify and address differences in various groups' perceptions and attitudes towards democracy.
