Tuesday, December 20, 2005
The Quest for Freedom Remains Unchecked
"Freedom House in New York yesterday released its annual report on how many people live in free societies. The news was once again good, with 27 countries and one territory showing gains and only nine showing setbacks. 'The past year was one of the most successful for freedom since Freedom House began measuring world freedom in 1972,' the report said.
Arch Puddington, the organization's director of research, found it 'impressive' that freedom could thrive despite 'terrorist violence, ethnic cleansing, civil conflict, catastrophic natural disasters and geopolitical polarization.' But it did. Nearly 3 billion souls (46% of the world's population) now live in countries that have 'open political competition, a climate of respect for civil liberties, significant independent civil life and independent media.' A further 1.2 billion are 'partly free,' meaning that they have limited rights that are tainted by such defects as rampant corruption or entrenched one-party rule.
The remaining 2.3 billion (35%) are denied basic civil liberties and political rights. China accounts for half the 'not free' numbers, and Russia seems be relapsing into a repeat of the Soviet past. Both rate better, however, than the eight worst hellholes: North Korea, Cuba, Burma, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The spread of electoral democracy feeds the trend. Today, 122 countries, 65% of the world total, have democratic elections -- three more than last year. Obviously, this is refl"
Arch Puddington, the organization's director of research, found it 'impressive' that freedom could thrive despite 'terrorist violence, ethnic cleansing, civil conflict, catastrophic natural disasters and geopolitical polarization.' But it did. Nearly 3 billion souls (46% of the world's population) now live in countries that have 'open political competition, a climate of respect for civil liberties, significant independent civil life and independent media.' A further 1.2 billion are 'partly free,' meaning that they have limited rights that are tainted by such defects as rampant corruption or entrenched one-party rule.
The remaining 2.3 billion (35%) are denied basic civil liberties and political rights. China accounts for half the 'not free' numbers, and Russia seems be relapsing into a repeat of the Soviet past. Both rate better, however, than the eight worst hellholes: North Korea, Cuba, Burma, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
The spread of electoral democracy feeds the trend. Today, 122 countries, 65% of the world total, have democratic elections -- three more than last year. Obviously, this is refl"
