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Global Democracy

GlobalDemocracy

 Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. — Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

We advocate a right to democracy at all levels

It is no longer possible to limit democracy to the nation-state. Conversely, democracy can only function on a global scale if it also prospers nationally. We support an improvement and strengthening of democracy and closer collaboration of democratic countries.

All people must enjoy access to fundamental political and civil rights, in particular the right to competitive free and fair elections and political participation.

Democracy Without Borders believes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights constitute a right to democracy at all levels of public authority, from the local to the global.

As a measure to help strengthen democracy, Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of a new mandate of the UN Human Rights Council of Special Rapporteur on Democracy.

Two meanings of global democracy

Global democracy can address two things: the state of democracy across the world’s nation-states or democratization of global governance. Learn more about it here. The latter is part of our program area on global governance.

A UN Rapporteur on Democracy

Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of the mandate of a UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy by the UN Human Rights Council based on this research and this policy brief.

An Alliance of Democracies

Democracy Without Borders supports the creation of an Alliance of Democracies following these principles and proposals.

Projects

DWB and its chapters are seeking donors and partners to develop projects in the field of democracy promotion at all levels.

Endorsements

We are part of the Global Democracy Coalition and we endorse the Coalition for Democratic Renewal.

News and developments in this program area

Democracy and civic space: people power under attack
The findings of CIVICUS’ 2022 People Power Under Attack report are explained in this article. The assesments are based on CIVICUS Monitor, a research collaboration of over 20 groups across the globe.
Mandeep Tiwana | 17.03.2023
Deliberative listening and complementary democracy
This opinion piece explores listening, discussion and deliberation as core concepts of democracy.
Matt Qvortrup and Daniela Vancic | 16.03.2023
Democracy’s global decline is slowing down, says Freedom House report
The 2023 Freedom in the World report concludes that the global struggle for democracy approached a possible turning point in 2022
Andreas Bummel | 14.03.2023
V-Dem report: Global democracy has fallen to 1986 level
In its recent Democracy Report 2023 which looks at the development of democracy and autocracy worldwide, Gothenburg-based V-Dem Institute finds that the average level of democracy a global citizen enjoys…
Francesca Braga | 09.03.2023