Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Changes from June 15, 2020 to May 24, 2021
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Democracy in Latin America and the
June 15, 2020May 24, 2021
Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Carla Y. Davis-Castro
This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and the Research Librarian This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and the Research Librarian
Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s
political system and selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy trends political system and selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy trends
worldwide. Using tables and graphs to il ustrate regional trends, this report provides a worldwide. Using tables and graphs to il ustrate regional trends, this report provides a
snapshot of democracy indicators from the following sources: (1) the U.S. Department snapshot of democracy indicators from the following sources: (1) the U.S. Department
of State’s of State’s20182020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices; (2) Bertelsmann Stiftung’s ; (2) Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 20182020 Bertelsmann Bertelsmann
Transformation Index (BTI); (3) the Economist Intel igence Unit’s (EIU’s) Transformation Index (BTI); (3) the Economist Intel igence Unit’s (EIU’s) Democracy Index20182020; (4) Freedom ; (4) Freedom
House’s House’s Freedom in the World20192021; and (5) the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s (V-DEM’s) Liberal ; and (5) the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s (V-DEM’s) Liberal
Democracy Index in its Democracy Index in its Democracy Report20192021. Additional resources appear at the end of the report. . Additional resources appear at the end of the report.
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
Source Notes Democracy Indices and Source Notes................................................................................. 1
Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) ........................................................... 1
Figures
Figure 1. BTI's 2020 Political Transformation Global Ranking of Latin American and
Caribbean Countries .......................................... 1 Economist Intel igence Unit (EIU)’s Democracy Index.................................................... 3 Freedom House’s Freedom in the World........................................................................ 4 Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)’s Liberal Democracy Index............................... 6
Compilation of Democracy Indicators ................................................................................ 13
9
Figures Figure 2. EIU Democracy Index 20191. BTI's 2020 Political Transformation Global Ranking for of Latin American and Caribbean
Caribbean Countries .................................................................................................................. 14 3
Figure3. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2020 Aggregate Scores for 2. EIU Democracy Index 2020 Global Ranking for Latin Latin
American and Caribbean Countries
Countries ................................................................................................... 15................. 4
Figure43. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2020 Political Rights and Civil Liberties
Scores for Latin 2021 Aggregate Scores for Latin
American and Caribbean Countries ................................................................................. 6 16
Figure54. V-Dem Democracy Report 20202021's Liberal Democracy Index Rank for Latin
American and Caribbean Countries ............................................................................... 17.. 8
Tables
Table 1. Caribbean:20192020 Democracy Rankings ................................................................... 4 10
Table 2. Mexico and Central America:20192020 Democracy Rankings ......................................... 8 13
Table 3. South America:20192020 Democracy Rankings........................................................... 1014
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators .................................................................... 18 17
Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................1918
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Introduction
The current trajectory of democracy around the world is an issue of interest for Congress, which
has contributed to U.S. democracy promotion objectives overseas. For decades, U.S. policy has
broadly reflected the view that the spread of democracy around the world is favorable to U.S.
interests. For decades, U.S. policy has broadly reflected the view that the spread of democracy around the world is favorable to U.S. interests. The current trajectory of democracy around the world is an issue of interest for Congress, which has general y supported U.S. democracy promotion efforts. This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and
the Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s political the Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s political
system system
and selected nongovernmental (NGO) indices that measure democracy trends worldwide. and selected nongovernmental (NGO) indices that measure democracy trends worldwide.
For additional information on democracy in the global context, see CRS Report R45344, For additional information on democracy in the global context, see CRS Report R45344, Global
Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber. , by Michael A. Weber.
For related information about democracy in Latin American and the Caribbean, see the following For related information about democracy in Latin American and the Caribbean, see the following
products: products:
CRS Report CRS ReportR46258R46781, , Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues
in the 116thKey
Issues in the 117th Congress, coordinated by Mark P. Sullivan , coordinated by Mark P. Sullivan
CRS In Focus IF10460, CRS In Focus IF10460, Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview, ,
by Mark P. Sullivan; by Mark P. Sullivan;
CRS Report CRS ReportR45547R46514, , U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the
Caribbean:FY2019FY2021 Appropriations, by Peter J. Meyer and , by Peter J. Meyer and Edward Y. GraciaRachel L. Martin; ;
CRS Report 98-684, CRS Report 98-684, Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders
and Elections, by Carla Y. Davis-Castro; and , by Carla Y. Davis-Castro; and
CRS Report R45733, CRS Report R45733, Combating Corruption in Latin America: Congressional
Considerations, coordinated by June S. Beittel. , coordinated by June S. Beittel.
CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries. CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Democracy Indices and Source Notes
This report compiles information from the U.S. State Department and data from four This report compiles information from the U.S. State Department and data from four
nongovernmental (NGO) indicesnongovernmental (NGO) indices. , which are each discussed briefly below. CRS does not endorse the methodology or accuracy of any particular democracy index. (For a discussion about definitions of democracy and critiques For a discussion about definitions of democracy and critiques
of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, Global Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S.
Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber., by Michael A. Weber. CRS does not endorse the methodology or
accuracy of any particular democracy index.
In parentheses following the country name in the tables below is the nature of the country’s
political system, as described in the U.S. State Department’s 2019 Country Reports on Human
Rights Practices.1 While the publication focuses broadly on human rights conditions in each
country, the first sentence of each country report provides a characterization of the country’s
political system. This U.S. government information is included here for comparison with findings
from the democracy indicators published by NGOs.
)
The following indices are discussed below: (1) Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI); (2) the Economist Intel igence Unit’s (EIU’s) Democracy Index
2020; (3) Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2021; and (4) the Varieties of Democracy
Institute’s (V-DEM’s) Liberal Democracy Index in its Democracy Report 2021.
Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private foundation based in Germany, has published the Bertelsmann Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private foundation based in Germany, has published the Bertelsmann
Transformation Index (BTI) biannual y since 2006. Key regional findings and country reports are Transformation Index (BTI) biannual y since 2006. Key regional findings and country reports are
available in English (BTI publishes the full regional report in German). BTI 2020 evaluates the available in English (BTI publishes the full regional report in German). BTI 2020 evaluates the
quality of democracy, a market economy, and political management in 137 developing and quality of democracy, a market economy, and political management in 137 developing and
1 U.S. Department of State, 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights,
and Labor, March 11, 2020, at https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/
transition countries. For political transformation specifical y, BTI ranks countries using five criteria: (1) stateness, (2) political participation, (3) rule of law, (4) stability of democratic
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transition countries. For political transformation specifical y, BTI ranks countries using 18
indicators grouped into five criteria: (1) stateness, (2) political participation, (3) rule of law, (4)
stability of democratic institutions, and (5) political and social integration.2 Based on the criteria,
BTI assigns a category: democracy in consolidation, defective democracy, highly defective
democracy, moderate autocracy, and hardline autocracyinstitutions, and (5) political and social integration.1 The political transformation indicators also determine country classification: democracy in consolidation, defective democracy, highly defective democracy, moderate autocracy, and hardline autocracy.2 BTI evaluates al Central and South American nations. With the exception of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, BTI does not evaluate Caribbean nations. In its global report, BTI notes that . In its global report, BTI notes “in some “in some
Latin American countries, the degree to which autocratic alternatives are clearly Latin American countries, the degree to which autocratic alternatives are clearly rejected has rejected has
diminished significantly. Strong declines in the scores assessing approval of democracy, though at diminished significantly. Strong declines in the scores assessing approval of democracy, though at
different levels, can be seen in countries such as Brazildifferent levels, can be seen in countries such as Brazil (-3), Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, , Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic,
Jamaica and PanamaJamaica and Panama (each -2)” but the report also highlights the opposite: “two Latin American ” but the report also highlights the opposite: “two Latin American
countries have shown that the path of backsliding is just as reversible as that of countries have shown that the path of backsliding is just as reversible as that of progressive progressive
democratization,” in reference to Ecuador and Colombia.democratization,” in reference to Ecuador and Colombia. 3 BTI evaluates al Central and South
American nations. With the exception of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad and
Tobago, and Jamaica, BTI does not evaluate Caribbean nations.
The Economist Intel igence Unit (EIU), based in London and New York, has offices and analysts
in various countries. Since 2006, EIU has produced a democracy index that3
Figure 1 shows the global rank and classification of al Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the Political Transformation Rank, a component of the 2020
Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI).
1 Bertelsmann Stiftung, “Methodology,” accessed May 14, 2021, available at https://www.bti-project.org/en/methodology.html. Also see https://www.bti-project.org/en/index/political-transformation.html. 2 Bertelsmann Stiftung, “Political T ransformation,” accessed May 14, 2021, at https://www.bti-project.org/en/index/political-transformation.html. BT I uses seven threshold values to mark minimum requirements for a democracy: (1) free and fair elections, (2) effective power to govern, (3) association/assembly rights, (4) freedom of expression, (5) separation of powers, (6) civil rights, and (7) monopoly on the use of force and basic administration. BT I classifies a country as an autocracy if any one of seven political transformation indicators falls short of the relevant threshold. BT I considers failing states autocracies.
3 Sabine Donner, BTI 2020: Resistance to democratic regression and authoritarian rule is growing, Global Findings Dem ocracy, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2020, at https://www.bti-project.org/content/en/reports/global-report-d/global_findings_democracy_2020_EN.pdf.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 1. BTI's 2020 Political Transformation Global Ranking of
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS using Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index. According to BTI’s analysis, no Latin American or Caribbean countries fel into the category of highly defective democracies.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s Democracy Index The Economist Intel igence Unit (EIU), based in London and New York, has produced a democracy index since 2006. The current report provides an annual provides an annual
snapshot of the state of democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.4 The EIU snapshot of the state of democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.4 The EIU
classifies countries as classifies countries as full democracies,, flawed democracies,, hybrid regimes, or , or authoritarian
regimes based on an aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and based on an aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and
pluralism, (2) civil pluralism, (2) civil liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5) liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5)
political culture. According to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2019political culture. 5 EIU evaluates al Central and South American nations. With the exceptions of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, EIU does not
4 T he Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) did not produce a democracy index report covering 2007 or 2009. 5 EIU, Democracy Index 2020: In sickness and in health? 2020, at https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/, p. 56-57. EIU defines terms as: full dem ocracies are countries where the “ functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independent and diverse.... effective checks and balances.... judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced.... only limited problems.” Flawed democracies have “free and fair elections ... basic civil liberties are respected. However, there are significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political culture and low levels of political participation.” Hybrid regimes have “substantial election irregularities.... government pressure on opposition parties and candidates.... corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil society is weak.... and the judiciary is not independent.” In authoritarian regim es, “ state political pluralism is absent or heavily circumscribed.... some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance.... elections ... are not free and fair.... disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties.... repression of criticism of the government and pervasive censorship. T here is no independent judiciary.”
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
evaluate Caribbean nations. According to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2020, the Latin America and , the Latin America and
Caribbean region’s overal score went down for the Caribbean region’s overal score went down for thefourthfifth year in a row from 6. year in a row from 6.24 in 201813 in 2019 to to 6.09 in 20206.13
in 2019 (on a 0 to 10 scale). (on a 0 to 10 scale).56 The three countries in the region classified in The three countries in the region classified in 20192020 as full as full
democracies are democracies areUruguayChile, Costa Rica, and, Costa Rica, and, new to the group, Chile Uruguay. EIU’s . EIU’s Democracy Index
20192020 identified three identified three
countries in the region as authoritarian regimes: countries in the region as authoritarian regimes: Nicaragua, VenezuelaCuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.7
Figure 2 shows the global rank and classification of Central and South American and Caribbean
countries according to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2020.
Figure 2. EIU Democracy Index 2020 Global Ranking for
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS using EIU’s Democracy Index 2020.
Freedom House’s Freedom in the World , and
Cuba.6 EIU evaluates al Central and South American nations. With the exceptions of Cuba, the
Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, EIU does not
evaluate Caribbean nations.
Freedom House is a U.S.-based NGO that conducts research on democracy, political freedom, Freedom House is a U.S.-based NGO that conducts research on democracy, political freedom,
and human rights worldwide. It has published and human rights worldwide. It has published a global report on political rights and civil liberties, now cal ed Freedom in the World, annual y since 1972.8 The 2020 since 1978, and the current
report covers 195 countries and 15 territories. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points report covers 195 countries and 15 territories. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points
on 25 indicators (10on 25 different indicators—10 indicators for political rights political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators) and 15 indicators for civil liberties—for a total of up to for a total of up to
100 100 points. The calculation equal y weights a country’s aggregate political rights and civil liberties 6 EIU, Democracy Index 2020: In sickness and in health? 2020, at https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/, p. 36. 7 Ibid. 8 Until 1978, the annual report was titled The Comparative Study of Freedom. Congressional Research Service 4 link to page 9 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices scores then determines whether it haspoints. The scores determine numerical ratings for political rights and civil liberties freedoms
on a scale of 1 (most free) to 7 (least free). The political rights and civil liberties ratings are
averaged to produce an overal status of an overal status of free, partly free, or , or not free.9 Freedom House evaluates al Central and South American and Caribbean nations. Freedom Freedom House’s report House’s report
covering covering2019 found that “acute political and governance crises also affected the region during
the year, leading two countries [Peru and Haiti] to decline in the Freedom in the World indicator
pertaining to representative rule.”7 Venezuela continued to deteriorate while El Salvador,
2 Bertelsmann Stiftung, “Methodology,” accessed November 18, 2019, available at https://www.bti-project.org/en/
about/project/methodology/.
3 Sabine Donner, BTI 2020: Resistance to democratic regression and authoritarian rule is growing Global Findings
Dem ocracy, Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2020, at https://www.bti-project.org/content/en/reports/global-report-
d/global_findings_democracy_2020_EN.pdf.
4 T he Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) did not produce a democracy index report covering 2007 or 2009.
5 EIU, Democracy Index 2019: A year of democratic setbacks and popular protest, 2020, available at
https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index, p. 33.
6 Ibid.
7 Sarah Repucci, Freedom in the World 2020: A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy, Freedom House, 2020, at
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Guatemala and Honduras “suffered score declines for the year, though the specific reasons
varied.”8 The top 10 countries with democratic declines included Bolivia, Chile, Haiti and
Venezuela while the top 10 countries with democratic declines over the last decade include
Venezuela, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.9 The report’s analysis is based on data that
are detailed in full on the Freedom House’s report web page both for current and past reports.10
Freedom House’s webpage “Countries,” lists the current freedom scores of al countries.11
Freedom House evaluates democracy in al 2020 found that the top countries with one-year democratic declines included El Salvador and the top countries with largest democratic declines over the last decade included Venezuela, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.10 Peru’s status went from “free” to “partly free” due to “due to extended political clashes between the presidency and Congress since 2017 that have
heavily disrupted governance and anticorruption efforts, strained the country’s constitutional order, and resulted in an irregular succession of four presidents within three years.”11 The countries with the largest one-year democratic gains included Bolivia and Chile. The report’s analysis is based on data that are detailed in full on the Freedom House’s report web page.12
Freedom House’s webpage “Countries,” lists the current freedom scores of al countries.13
Figure 3 shows the aggregate scores of al Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the relevant Freedom House country web pages for Freedom in the World 2021. Countries receive 0 to 4 points on 25 indicators (10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties
indicators) for a total of up to 100 points.
9 T he methodology is derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “T he political rights questions are grouped into three subcategories: Electoral Process (3 questions), Political Pluralism and Participation (4), and Functioning of Government (3). T he civil liberties questions are grouped into four subcategories: Freedom of Expression and Belief (4 questions), Associational and Organizational Rights (3), Rule of Law (4), and Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights (4).” T he methodology questions and table for calculating country status are listed online at Freedom House, “ Freedom in the World Research Methodology,” accessed May 13, 2021, at https://freedomhouse.org/reports/freedom-world/freedom-world-research-methodology. 10 Sarah Repucci and Amy Slipowitz, Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy Under Siege, Freedom House, 20210, at https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf, p. 6 and p. 13.
11 Ibid., p.26. 12 Freedom House, “Freedom in the World: About the report,” accessed May 13, 2021, at https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world. 13 Freedom House, “Countries and T erritories,” accessed April 19, 2021, at https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-world/scores.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 3. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2021 Aggregate Scores for
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS using Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2021.
Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem)’s Liberal Democracy Index The Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem), headquartered at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, collects democracy data through its research team in collaboration with country experts. In 2017, V-Dem published its first global report measuring the status of democracy. V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2021’s Liberal Democracy Index is based on 71 indicators that capture liberal
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and electoral aspects of democracy.14 V-Dem evaluates al Central and South American nations. V-Dem evaluates a subset of Caribbean nations, namely Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Based on the “Regimes of the World” measure, the V-Dem 2021 report grouped 179 countries into four categories: liberal democracy, electoral democracy, electoral autocracy, and closed autocracy.15 The report notes that “a few governments in democracies do seem to be using the pandemic to erode democratic
institutions. This risk of pandemic backsliding is high in El Salvador…and to a lesser extent in…Paraguay.”16 A few countries have advanced according to the index, such as Ecuador, while V-Dem found that other countries in the region have become more autocratic, including Brazil
and Bolivia.17
Figure 4 shows the liberal democracy index rank and classification of al Central and South Central and South American and Caribbean countries according to the Varieties of Democracy Institute's Democracy
Report 2021.
14 Nazifa Alizada, Rowan Cole, Lisa Gastaldi, Sandra Grahn, Sebastian Hellmeier, Palina Kolvani, Jean Lachapelle, Anna Lührmann, Seraphine F. Maerz, Shreeya Pillai, and Staffan I. Lindberg, Dem ocracy Report 2021: Autocratization Turns Viral, University of Gothenburg Varieties of Democracy Institute, at https://www.v-dem.net/media/filer_public/74/8c/748c68ad-f224-4cd7-87f9-8794add5c60f/dr_2021_updated.pdf, p. 42. Hereinafter, V-Dem, Dem ocracy Report 2021.
15 Using its data, V-Dem sorts countries into regime types based on Anna Lührmann, Marcus T annenberg, and Staffan I. Lindberg, “ Regimes of the World (RoW): Opening New Avenues for the Comparative Study of Political Regimes,” Politics & Governance, vol. 6, no. 1 (2018), pp. 60-77. T his article states “ that Dahl’s theory of polyarchy (1971, 1998) provides the most comprehensive and most widely accepted theory of what distinguishes a democracy based on six…institutional guarantees (elected officials, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, alternative sources of information, associational autonomy, and inclusive citizenship).” T he article defines democracies as having “ de-facto multiparty, free and fair elections, and Dahl’s institutional prerequisites minimally fulfilled.” An electoral democracy is one in which “the rule of law or liberal principles [are] not satisfied” and a liberal democracy is one in which “the rule of law and liberal principles [are] satisfied.” Autocracies have “no de facto multiparty, or free and fair elections, or Dahl’s institutional prerequisites not minimally fulfilled.” An electoral autocracy has “ de jure multiparty elections for the chief executive and the legislature” and a closed autocracy has “no multiparty elections for the chief executive or the legislature.” 16 V-Dem, Democracy Report 2021, p. 10. 17 V-Dem, Democracy Report 2021, p. 23 and p. 19.
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Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 4. V-Dem Democracy Report 2021's Liberal Democracy Index Rank
for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS using the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 2021.
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Compilation of Democracy Indicators In the tables below, the country name is followed by parentheses with the nature of the country’s political system, as described in the U.S. State Department’s 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.18 This U.S. government information is included here for comparison with
findings from the democracy indicators published by NGOs.
Table 1 looks at Caribbean countries’ global democracy rankings according to Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, American and Caribbean nations.
The Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-DEM), headquartered at the University of Gothenburg in
Sweden, collects democracy data through its research team in collaboration with country experts.
In 2017, V-Dem published its first global report measuring the status of democracy with an index.
Democracy Report 2020 includes the Liberal Democracy Index, which examines 71 indicators
included in the Liberal Component Index and the Electoral Democracy Index.12 For 2019, V-Dem
groups 179 countries into four categories: liberal democracy, electoral democracy, electoral
autocracy, and closed autocracy. The current report notes that “by the population-weighted
measure, Latin America has been thrown back to a level of democracy last recorded around 1992”
yet three quarters of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean “stil qualify as
democratic.”13 V-DEM evaluates al Central and South American nations. With the exceptions of
Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and
Tobago, V-DEM does not evaluate Caribbean nations.
Table 1 looks at Caribbean countries’ global democracy rankings according to EIU’s EIU’s Democracy
Index20192020, Freedom House’s , Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2020, 2021, and V-Dem’s V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2020,
and Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index.2021. Table 2 compares the same reports for compares the same reports for
Mexico and Central America, as doe Mexico and Central America, as does Table 3 for South America. for South America.Each report evaluates a
different number of countries, so there are missing rankings for some countries. Countries are
listed alphabetical y in each table.
https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/FIW_2020_REPORT_BOOKLET_Final.pdf
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10
Each index is based on a unique methodology and the rankings are not necessarily comparable. For more details on the methodologies, see “Democracy Indices and Source Notes” above. For
term definitions of each index, see footnote 2 for BTI, footnote 5 for EIU, footnote 9 for Freedom Freedom House, and footnote 15 for V-Dem or consult the full reports. Each report evaluates a different number of countries, so there are missing rankings for some countries. Countries are listed
alphabetical y in each table.
18 U.S. Department of State, 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, March 30, 2021, at https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/.
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link to page 15 link to page 15
Table 1. Caribbean: 2020House, “Freedom in the World 2020: A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy,” accessed June 1, 2020, at
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2020/leaderless-struggle-democracy
11 Freedom House, “Countries and T erritories,” accessed June 1, 2020, at https://freedomhouse.org/countries/freedom-
world/scores?sort=desc&order=T otal%20Score%20and%20Status.
12 Varieties of Democracy Institute, Democracy Report 2020: Autocratization Surges – Resistance Grows, March 2020,
at https://www.v-dem.net/media/filer_public/f0/5d/f05d46d8-626f-4b20-8e4e-
53d4b134bfcb/democracy_report_2020_low.pdf.
13 Ibid.
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Table 1. Caribbean: 2019 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
2020
Country
Political
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State (U.S. State
Transfor-
mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
mationGlobal
Global
Political
Civil
LiberalDemocracy
system system
Global
Status
GlobalRank (of
Ranka
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyIndex Global
Regime
description) description)
Rank
Indexa
Rankb
Typec
Scored137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statuse
Index Rank
TypefStatus
Rank (of 179)
Typeb
Antigua &
Barbuda
(parliamentary (parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
85 85
2
233
52
Free Free
— —
— —
multiparty multiparty
democracy)democracy)
Bahamas
(constitutional (constitutional
— —
— —
— —
— —
91 91
1
138
53
Free Free
— —
— —
parliamentary parliamentary
democracy)democracy)
Barbados
(parliamentary (parliamentary
(-) Liberal
multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
95 95
1
138
57
Free Free
29
democracy38
(-) Liberal
democracy) democracy)
democracy Belize
(constitutional (constitutional
parliamentary parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
86
2
287
34
53
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
Cuba
Hardline Hardline
Closed Closed
(authoritarian (authoritarian
110 110
autocracy autocracy
143140
Authoritarian Authoritarian
14
7
613
1
12
Not free Not free
159162
autocracy autocracy
state) state)
Dominica
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
93 93
1
137
56
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
CRS- CRS-410
link to page link to page9 link to page 9 link to page 9 link to page 10 link to page 10 link to page 1015 link to page 15
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
2020
Country
Political
(U.S. State
Transfor-
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
mationGlobal
Global
Political
Civil
LiberalDemocracy
system system
Global
Status
GlobalRank (of
Ranka
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyIndex Global
Regime
description) description)
Rank
Indexa
Rankb
Typec
Scored137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statuse
Index Rank
TypefStatus
Rank (of 179)
Typeb
Dominican
Republic
Defective
Flawed
Electoral
(representative
41
democracy
60=
democracy
67
3
3
Partly free
100
democracy
constitutional
(representative 41 Defective 63 Flawed 67 26 41 Partly free 95 Electoral constitutional democracy democracy democracy democracy) democracy)
Grenada
(parliamentary (parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
89 89
1
237
52
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
Guyana
(-) (multiparty (multiparty
Flawed Flawed
Electoral—
— —
—
71=75
Electoral
democracy) democracy)
democracy democracy
74
2
373
30
43
Free Free
8384
democracy democracy
Haiti
(constitutional (constitutional
Moderate Moderate
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
92 92
autocracy autocracy
105106
regime regime
38
5
537
15
22
Partly free Partly free
121120
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Jamaica
(+)
(constitutional (constitutional
15 15
Democracy in Democracy in
5042=
Flawed Flawed
78
2
280
34
46
Free Free
3935
Electoral Electoral
parliamentary parliamentary
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy) democracy)
St. Kitts and
Nevis
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
89 89
1
135
54
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy and democracy and
federation) federation)
CRS- CRS-5
link to page 9 link to page 9 link to page 9 link to page 10 link to page 10 link to page 1011
link to page 15 link to page 15
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
2020
Country
Political
(U.S. State
Transfor-
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
mationGlobal
Global
Political
Civil
LiberalDemocracy
system system
Global
Status
GlobalRank (of
Ranka
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyIndex Global
Regime
description) description)
Rank
Indexa
Rankb
Typec
Scored137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statuse
Index Rank
TypefStatus
Rank (of 179)
Typeb
St. Lucia
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
92
1
191
37
54
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
St. Vincent
and the
Grenadines
— —
— —
— —
— —
91 91
1
136
55
Free Free
— —
— —
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
democracy)democracy)
Suriname
(constitutional (constitutional
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
— —
— —
4951
democracy) democracy)
democracy democracy
75
2
379
34
45
Free Free
5549
democracy democracy
Trinidad &
Tobago
Democracy in Democracy in
Flawed Flawed
( (-) Liberal
+) (parliamentary (parliamentary
13 13
consolidation consolidation
43=41
democracy democracy
82 82
2
233
49
Free Free
43 43
democracyElectoral
democracy) democracy)
democracy Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s20192020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s
Democracy Index20192020, Freedom House’s Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 20202021, and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 20202021.
Notes: Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, al three are members of the Caribbean Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, al three are members of the CaribbeanCommunity
(CARICOM).
a. BTI classifies a country as an autocracy if one of seven political transformation indicators fal s short of the relevant threshold. BTI consid ers failing states autocracies.
b. The symbol Commu nity (CARICOM). a. EIU’s symbol “=” indicates a tying score“=” indicates a tying score or equal rank with another country. b. V-Dem’s symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category while (+) signifies that th eor equal rank with another country.
c. Definitions from EIU: Ful democracies are countries where the “functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independent and diverse.... effective checks and
balances.... judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced.... only limited problems.” Flawed democracies have “free and fair elections ... basic civil
liberties are respected. However, there are significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political
culture and low levels of political participation.” Hybrid regimes have “substantial election irregularities.... government pressure on opposition parties and
CRS-6
candidates.... corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil society is weak.... and the judiciary is not independent.” In authoritarian regimes,
“state political pluralism is absent or heavily circumscribed.... some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance.... elections ... are not
free and fair.... disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties.... repression of criticism of the government and pervasive censorship. There is no
independent judiciary.”
d. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points on 25 indicators (10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators) for a total of up to 100 points.
e. Freedom House assigns each country a rating for political rights and one for civil liberties, where 1 represents the greatest degree of freedom and 7 the smal est
degree of freedom. The average of a country’s political rights and civil liberties ratings determines the status of free (1.0 to 2.5), partly free (3.0 to 5.0), or not free
(5.5 to 7.0).
f.
The symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category while (+) signifies that the country could belong country could belong
to the to the
higher category. higher category.
CRS- CRS-712
link to page link to page12 link to page 12 link to page 12 link to page 12 link to page 12 link to page 1217 link to page 17
Table 2. Mexico and Central America:20192020 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy
Transformation Index 2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
Report20202021
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
PoliticalTransfor-
Democracy
Dept. political Dept. political
Transfor-
mation Global Political
Civil
LiberalIndex
system system
mation
GlobalGlobal Rank
Ranka
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyGlobal Rank
Regime
description) description)
Global Rank
Status Indexa
Rank
Typeb
Scorec(of 137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statusd
Index Rank
TypeeStatus
(of 179)
Type
Costa Rica
(constitutional (constitutional
8 8
Democracy in Democracy in
1918=
Ful Ful
91 91
1
138
53
Free Free
8
(-) 4
Liberal Liberal
republic) republic)
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
El Salvador
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
FlawedHybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
30 30
democracy democracy
71=
democracy
66
2
477
regime
63
30
33
Partly Free Partly Free
7687
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Guatemala
(constitutional (constitutional
93 93
Moderate Moderate
9397
Hybrid Hybrid
52 52
4
421
31
Partly free Partly free
8683
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
autocracy autocracy
regime regime
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Honduras
(constitutional (constitutional
Moderate Moderate
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
83 83
autocracy autocracy
89=88
regime regime
45
4
444
19
25
Partly free Partly free
129122
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Mexico
(federal (federal
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
59 59
democracy democracy
7372
democracy democracy
62
3
361
27
34
Partly free Partly free
6882
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Nicaraguafb
(constitutional (constitutional
94 94
Moderate Moderate
122=120
Authoritarian Authoritarian
31
6
530
10
20
Not free Not free
170168
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
autocracy autocracy
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
CRS- CRS-813
link to page link to page1217 link to page link to page 1213 link to page link to page 12 link to page 12 link to page 1219
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy
Transformation Index 2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
Report20202021
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
PoliticalTransfor-
Democracy
Dept. political Dept. political
Transfor-
mation Global Political
Civil
LiberalIndex
system system
mation
GlobalGlobal Rank
Ranka
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyGlobal Rank
Regime
description) description)
Global Rank
Status Indexa
Rank
Typeb
Scorec(of 137)
Status
(of 167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statusd
Index Rank
TypeeStatus
(of 179)
Type
Panama
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
35 35
democracy democracy
4640
democracy democracy
84
1
283
35
48
Free Free
4753
democracy democracy
democracy) democracy)
SourceSources: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s 20192020 Country Reports Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s
Democracy Index20192020, Freedom House’s Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 20202021, and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s (V-Dem) Democracy Report 2020.
a. BTI classifies a country as an autocracy if one of seven political transformation indicators fal s short of the relevant threshold. BTI considers failing states autocracies.
b. Definitions from EIU: Ful democracies are countries where the “functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independ ent and diverse.... effective checks and
balances.... judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced.... only limited problems.” Flawed democracies have “free and fair elections . . basic civil
liberties are respected. However, there are significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political
culture and low levels of political participation.” Hybrid regimes have “substantial election irregularities.... government pressure on opposition parties and
candidates.... corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil society is weak.... and the judiciary is not independent.” In authoritarian regimes,
“state political pluralism is absent or heavily circumscribed.... some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance.... elections . . are not
free and fair.... disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties.... repression of criticism of the government and pervasive censorship. There is no
independent judiciary.”
c. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points on 25 indicators (10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators) for a total of up to 100 points.
d. Freedom House assigns each country a rating for political rights and one for civil liberties where 1 represents the greatest degree of freedom and 7 the smal est
degree of freedom. The average of a country’s political rights and civil liberties ratings determines the status of free (1.0 to 2.5), partly free (3.0 to 5.0), or not free
(5.5 to 7.0).
e. The symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category while (+) signifies that the country could belong to the
higher category.
f.
“Constitutional multiparty republic” comes from the U.S. State Department’s 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nicaragua while the 20192021. Notes: Although Belize is located in Central America, it is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and is listed in Table 1. a. EIU’s symbol “=” indicates a tying score or equal rank with another country. b. “Constitutional multiparty republic” is the political system description from the U.S. State Department’s 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nicaragua,
while the 2020 Country Reports Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nicaragua states: “Nicaragua has a highly centralized,states: “Nicaragua has a highly centralized, authoritarian politicalauthoritarian political system system dominated by President dominated by President Daniel Daniel Ortega Saavedra Ortega Saavedra
and his wife, Vice President Rosario Muril o Zambrana. Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (and his wife, Vice President Rosario Muril o Zambrana. Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front ( FSLN) party exercises total control over the executive, FSLN) party exercises total control over the executive,
legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.” legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.”
CRS-9
link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 15 link to page 15
Table 3. South America: 2019Table 3. South America: 2020 Democracy Rankings
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
Transformation Index 2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
20202021
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
PoliticalTransfor-
Democracy
Dept. political Dept. political
Transfor-
mation Global Political
Civil
LiberalIndex Global
system system
mationGlobal Rank
Status
GlobalRank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
DemocracyRank (of
Regime
description) description)
Global Rank
Indexa
Rankb
Typec
Scored(of 137)
Index
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Statuse
Index RankStatus
179)
Typefea
Argentina
(federal (federal
Democracy in Democracy in
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
constitutional constitutional
16 16
consolidation consolidation
48 48
democracy democracy
85
2
284
35
49
Free Free
4439
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Bolivia
(+)
CRS-14
link to page 19
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
Transformation Index 2020
2020
Freedom in the World 2021
2021
Country
Political
Liberal
(U.S. State
Transfor-
Democracy
Dept. political
mation
Global
Political
Civil
Index Global
system
Global Rank
Status
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Rank (of
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Index
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
179)
Typea
Bolivia (constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
41 41
democracy democracy
10494
regime regime
63
3
366
27
39
Partly free Partly free
105121
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Brazil
(constitutional (constitutional
226
Defective Defective
5249
Flawed Flawed
75
2
274
31
43
Free Free
6056
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Chile
(constitutional (constitutional
Democracy in Democracy in
Ful Ful
( (-) Liberal
+) multiparty multiparty
6 6
consolidation consolidation
2117
democracy democracy
90
1
93 38 55 Free Free
2
democracy25
Electoral
democracy) democracy)
democracy Colombia
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
44 44
democracy democracy
4546
democracy democracy
66
3
365
29
36
Partly free Partly free
6274
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Ecuador
(constitutional (constitutional
30 30
Defective Defective
6769
Flawed Flawed
65
3
367
27
40
Partly free Partly free
6364
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
CRS-10
link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 14 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15Paraguay (constitutional
Defective
Flawed
Electoral
multiparty
46
democracy
67
democracy
65
28
37
Partly free
80
democracy
republic)
Peru (constitutional
Defective
Flawed
Electoral
multiparty
49
democracy
57
democracy
71
29
42
Partly free
36
democracy
republic)
CRS-15
link to page 19 link to page 19 link to page 13
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
Transformation Index 2020
20192020
Freedom in the World20202021
20202021
Country
(U.S. State
Political
Dept. politicalPolitical
Liberal
(U.S. State
Transfor-
Political
Civil
Liberal
system
mation
StatusDemocracy
Dept. political
mation
Global
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Democracy
Regime
description)Political
Civil
Index Global
system
Global Rank
Indexa
Rankb
Typec
Scored
Score
Score
Statuse
Index Rank
Typef
Paraguay
(constitutional
Defective
Flawed
Electoral
multiparty
46
democracy
70
democracy
65
3
3
Partly free
80
democracy
republic)
Peru
(constitutional
49
Defective
58
Flawed
72
2
3
Free
40
Electoral
multiparty
democracy
democracy
democracy
republic)
Uruguay
(constitutional
1
Democracy in
15
Ful
98
1
1
Free
19
Liberal
republic)
consolidation
democracy
democracy
Venezuelag
(constitutional
Hardline
Electoral
multiparty
120
autocracy
140
Authoritarian
16
7
6
Not free
163Status
Rank (of
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Rank (of
Regime
description)
(of 137)
Index
167)
Type
Score
Score
Score
Status
179)
Typea
Uruguay
Democracy in
Ful
(-) Liberal
(constitutional
1
consolidation
15
democracy
98
40
58
Free
16
democracy
republic)
Venezuelab (constitutional
120
Hardline
143
Authoritarian
14
1
13
Not free
164
Electoral
multiparty
autocracy
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s20192020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index, EIU’s
Democracy Index20192020, Freedom House’s Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 20202021, and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 2021. Notes: Although Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, both are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and are listed in Table 1. a. V-Dem’s symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category while (+) signifies that th e, and the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 2020.
a. BTI classifies a country as an autocracy if one of seven political transformation indicators fal s short of the relevant threshold. BTI considers failing states autocracies.
b. The symbol “=” indicates a tying score or equal rank with another country.
c. Definitions from EIU: Ful democracies are countries where the “functioning of government is satisfactory. Media are independent and diverse. . effective ch ecks and
balances. . judiciary is independent and judicial decisions are enforced. . only limited problems.” Flawed democracies h ave “free and fair elections . . basic civil
liberties are respected. However, there are significant weaknesses in other aspects of democracy, including problems in governance, an underdeveloped political
culture and low levels of political participation.” Hybrid regimes have “substantial election irregularities. . government pressure on opposition parties and
candidates. . corruption tends to be widespread and the rule of law is weak. Civil society is weak. . and the judiciary is not independent.” In authoritarian regimes,
“state political pluralism is absent or heavily circumscribed. . some formal institutions of democracy may exist, but these have little substance. . elections . . are not
free and fair. . disregard for abuses and infringements of civil liberties. . repression of criticism of the government and pervasive censorship. There is no
independent judiciary.”
d. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points on 25 indicators (10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties indicators) for a total of up to 100 points.
CRS-11
e. Freedom House assigns each country a rating for political rights and one for civil liberties where 1 represents the greatest degree of freedom and 7 the smal est
degree of freedom. The average of a country’s political rights and civil liberties ratings determines the status of free (1.0 to 2.5), partly free (3.0 to 5.0), or not free
(5.5 to 7.0).
f.
The symbol (-) indicates that, taking uncertainty into account, the country could belong to the lower category while (+) sign ifies that the country could belong country could belong
to the to the
higher category. higher category.
gb. From U.S. State Department’s . From U.S. State Department’s 20192020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Venezuela: “: “While Venezuela is Venezuela is formallegal y a multiparty, y a multiparty, constitutional republic, the
il egitimate authoritarian regime led by Nicolas Maduro usurped control over the executive, judicial, citizensconstitutional republic, but for more
than a decade, political power has been concentrated in a single party with an authoritarian executive exercising significant control over the judicial, citiz ens’ power ’ power
(which includes the prosecutor general and ombudsman), and electoral branches of government,(which includes the prosecutor general and ombudsman), and electoral branches of government, and standing and stood up a paral el, il egitimate legislative body alongside the up a paral el, il egitimate legislative body alongside the
existing elected one.existing elected one. ”
CRS-12
link to page 16 
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 1 shows the global rank and classification of al Central and South American and
Caribbean countries according to the Political Transformation Rank, a component of the 2020
Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI).
Figure 1. BTI's 2020 Political Transformation Global Ranking of
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS Graphics using Bertelsmann Stiftung’s 2020 Transformation Index. According to BTI’s
analysis, no Latin American or Caribbean countries fel into the category of highly defective democracies.
Congressional Research Service
13
link to page 17 
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 2 shows the global rank and classification of Central and South American and Caribbean
countries according to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2019.
Figure 2. EIU Democracy Index 2019 Global Ranking for
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS Graphics using EIU’s Democracy Index 2019.
Congressional Research Service
14
link to page 18 
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 3 shows the aggregate scores of al Central and South American and Caribbean countries
according to the Freedom House country web page for Freedom in the World 2020. Countries
receive 0 to 4 points on 25 indicators (10 political rights indicators and 15 civil liberties
indicators) for a total of up to 100 points.
Figure 3. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2020 Aggregate Scores for
Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS Graphics using Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2020.
Congressional Research Service
15
link to page 19 
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 4 shows the political rights and civil liberties scores of al Central and South American
and Caribbean countries according to Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2020. The scale
used is 1-7, with 1 indicating the most free conditions and 7 the least free.
Figure 4. Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2020 Political Rights and Civil
Liberties Scores for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS Graphics using Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2020.
Congressional Research Service
16
link to page 20 
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Figure 5 shows the liberal democracy index rank and classification of al Central and South
American and Caribbean countries according to the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s
Democracy Report 2020.
Figure 5. V-Dem Democracy Report 2020's Liberal Democracy Index Rank
for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Source: Created by CRS Graphics using the Varieties of Democracy Institute’s Democracy Report 2020.
Congressional Research Service
17
link to page 21”
CRS-16
link to page 20 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Table 4 provides resources for further information about democracy indicators in Central and provides resources for further information about democracy indicators in Central and
South America and the Caribbean, although many cover other geographic areas as wel . The South America and the Caribbean, although many cover other geographic areas as wel . The
sources are organized alphabetical y by title. This is not an exhaustive list. sources are organized alphabetical y by title. This is not an exhaustive list.
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators
Title
Organization
Resource Type
URL
Bertelsmann Stiftung's Bertelsmann Stiftung's
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Political Transformation Political Transformation
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
2020 Transformation 2020 Transformation
Index ranks 137 countries Index ranks 137 countries
project.org/en/index/project.org/en/index/politi
Index Index
cal-political-transformation.html transformation.html
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Governance Index ranks Governance Index ranks
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
137 countries 137 countries
project.org/en/index/ project.org/en/index/gove
rnancegovernance.html .html
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Regional report on Regional report onover22
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
20 Latin American and Latin American and
the project.org/content/en/ project.org/content/en/re
the
Caribbean countries Caribbean countries
portsreports/regional-/regional-
reports/regional_report_
LAC_2020_ENreports/regional_report_LAC_2020_EN.pdf .pdf
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Global report Global reportoncovers 137 137
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
countries countries
project.org/content/en/ project.org/content/en/re
portsreports/global-report-/global-report-
d/global_findings_democr
acy_2020_EN.pdf
Democracy Report 2020
Varieties of Democracy
Report covers 202d/global_findings_democracy_2020_EN.pdf
Democracy Index 2020
Economist Intel igence
Global report covers 167
https://www.eiu.com/n/ca
Unit
countries and territories
mpaigns/democracy-index-2020/
Democracy Report 2021
Varieties of Democracy
Global report covers 179
https://www.v- https://www.v-
(V-Dem) (V-Dem)
countries countries
dem.net/media/filer_publi dem.net/media/filer_publi
c/c/f0/5d/f05d46d8-626f-
4b20-8e4e-
53d4b134bfcb/democracy
_report_2020_low74/8c/748c68ad-f224-4cd7-87f9-8794add5c60f/dr_2021_updated.pdf .pdf
Electoral Integrity
Electoral Integrity Project, Electoral Integrity Project,
Report and data from Report and data from
https://www.electoralinteg https://www.electoralinteg
Worldwide 2019
an independent academic an independent academic
cumulative study covering cumulative study covering
rityproject.com/the-year- rityproject.com/the-year-
project based at Harvard project based at Harvard
national presidential and national presidential and
in-elections- in-elections-20172019
University and the University and the
parliamentary elections parliamentary elections
University of Sydney University of Sydney
from July 1, 2012 to from July 1, 2012 to
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018
Freedom in the World20202021 Freedom House Freedom House
ReportGlobal report covers 210
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
countries and territories sites/default/files/sites/default/files/2020-
02/FIW_2020_REPORT_
BOOKLET_Final2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf .pdf
Freedom House Freedom House
Map Map
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
explore-the-explore-the-
map?type=fiw&year=map?type=fiw&year=20202021
Freedom House Freedom House
Country ranking list Country ranking list
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
countries/freedom-countries/freedom-
world/world/scores Congressional Research Service 17 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices Title Organization Resource Type URLscores
Global State of Global State of
International Institute for International Institute for
Interactive map looks at Interactive map looks at
https://www.idea.int/gsod- https://www.idea.int/gsod-
Democracy Indices Democracy Indices
2019 Democracy and Electoral Democracy and Electoral
97116 indicators for indicators for 158162
indices/#/indices/world- indices/#/indices/world-
Assistance’s (International Assistance’s (International
countries from 1975- countries from 1975-20182019 map map
IDEA) Global State of IDEA) Global State of
Democracy Initiative Democracy Initiative
Congressional Research Service
18
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Global State of Democracy
International Institute for International Institute for
Report looks at global Report looks at global
https://www.idea.int/sites/ https://www.idea.int/sites/
2019
Democracy and Electoral Democracy and Electoral
trends in democracy trends in democracy
from default/files/publications/ default/files/publications/t
Assistance Assistance
1975-2015 across 158 1975-2015 across 158
hethe-global-state-of--global-state-of-
countries countries
democracy-2019.pdf democracy-2019.pdf
Rule of Law Index 2020
World Justice Project World Justice Project
Report measures how the https://worldjusticeproject Report measures how the https://worldjusticeproject
rule of law is experienced rule of law is experienced
.org/sites/default/files/ .org/sites/default/files/doc
and perceived in 128 and perceived in 128
umentsdocuments/WJP-ROLI-/WJP-ROLI-2020-
countries and jurisdictions countries and jurisdictions
2020-Online_0.pdf Online_0.pdf
World Justice Project World Justice Project
Interactive map and data Interactive map and data
https://www.worldjusticep https://www.worldjusticep
tables cover 128 tables cover 128
roject.org/rule-of-law- roject.org/rule-of-law-
countries and jurisdictions countries and jurisdictions
index/ index/
Mexico States Rule of Law
World Justice Project World Justice Project
ACountry report on the report on the
https://worldjusticeproject https://worldjusticeproject
Index 2019-2020
adherence to the rule of adherence to the rule of
.org/sites/default/files/ .org/sites/default/files/doc
law in Mexico's 32 states law in Mexico's 32 states
umentsdocuments/MSI-eng-2.pdf /MSI-eng-2.pdf
(also available in Spanish) (also available in Spanish)
Worldwide Governance Worldwide Governance
World Bank World Bank
Data on Data on43 indicators of6 aggregate
https://info.worldbank.org https://info.worldbank.org
Indicators Indicators
governance for 200+indicators of governance
/governance/wgi/ /governance/wgi/
for 214 countries from 1996-countries from 1996-
20182019; in particular, see ; in particular, see
Voice and Accountability Voice and Accountability
indicator indicator
Source: Compiled by Compiled bythe Congressional Research ServiceCRS. .
Author Information
Carla Y. Davis-Castro Carla Y. Davis-Castro
Research Librarian Research Librarian
Congressional Research Service 18 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should n ot be relied upon for purposes other under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should n ot be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
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material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to
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Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
R46016 R46016 · VERSION46 · UPDATED
19 19
Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Carla Y. Davis-Castro
This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and the Research Librarian This report provides a regional snapshot of the political climate in Latin America and the Research Librarian
Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s
political system and selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy trends political system and selected nongovernmental indices that measure democracy trends
worldwide. Using tables and graphs to il ustrate regional trends, this report provides a worldwide. Using tables and graphs to il ustrate regional trends, this report provides a
snapshot of democracy indicators from the following sources: (1) the U.S. Department snapshot of democracy indicators from the following sources: (1) the U.S. Department
of State’s of State’s
Transformation Index (BTI); (3) the Economist Intel igence Unit’s (EIU’s) Transformation Index (BTI); (3) the Economist Intel igence Unit’s (EIU’s) Democracy Index
House’s House’s Freedom in the World
Democracy Index in its Democracy Index in its Democracy Report
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page link to page 4 link to page 4 link to page
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
Figure
Figure
Figure
American and Caribbean Countries ...............................................................................
Tables
Table 1. Caribbean:
Table 2. Mexico and Central America:
Table 3. South America:
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators
Contacts
Author Information .......................................................................................................
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
Introduction
the Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s political the Caribbean, based on the U.S. Department of State’s description of each country’s political
For additional information on democracy in the global context, see CRS Report R45344, For additional information on democracy in the global context, see CRS Report R45344, Global
Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S. Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber. , by Michael A. Weber.
For related information about democracy in Latin American and the Caribbean, see the following For related information about democracy in Latin American and the Caribbean, see the following
products: products:
CRS Report CRS Report
CRS In Focus IF10460, CRS In Focus IF10460, Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview, ,
by Mark P. Sullivan; by Mark P. Sullivan;
CRS Report CRS Report
Caribbean:
CRS Report 98-684, CRS Report 98-684, Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders
and Elections, by Carla Y. Davis-Castro; and , by Carla Y. Davis-Castro; and
CRS Report R45733, CRS Report R45733, Combating Corruption in Latin America: Congressional
Considerations, coordinated by June S. Beittel. , coordinated by June S. Beittel.
CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries. CRS also publishes reports on specific Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Democracy Indices and Source Notes
This report compiles information from the U.S. State Department and data from four This report compiles information from the U.S. State Department and data from four
nongovernmental (NGO) indicesnongovernmental (NGO) indices
of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, of democracy indices, see CRS Report R45344, Global Trends in Democracy: Background, U.S.
Policy, and Issues for Congress, by Michael A. Weber., by Michael A. Weber.
Transformation Index (BTI) biannual y since 2006. Key regional findings and country reports are Transformation Index (BTI) biannual y since 2006. Key regional findings and country reports are
available in English (BTI publishes the full regional report in German). BTI 2020 evaluates the available in English (BTI publishes the full regional report in German). BTI 2020 evaluates the
quality of democracy, a market economy, and political management in 137 developing and quality of democracy, a market economy, and political management in 137 developing and
Congressional Research Service Congressional Research Service
1 1
Latin American countries, the degree to which autocratic alternatives are clearly Latin American countries, the degree to which autocratic alternatives are clearly rejected has rejected has
different levels, can be seen in countries such as Brazildifferent levels, can be seen in countries such as Brazil
Jamaica and PanamaJamaica and Panama
countries have shown that the path of backsliding is just as reversible as that of countries have shown that the path of backsliding is just as reversible as that of progressive progressive
democratization,” in reference to Ecuador and Colombia.democratization,” in reference to Ecuador and Colombia.
snapshot of the state of democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.4 The EIU snapshot of the state of democracy for 165 independent states and two territories.4 The EIU
classifies countries as classifies countries as full democracies,, flawed democracies,, hybrid regimes, or , or authoritarian
regimes based on an aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and based on an aggregate score of 60 indicators in five categories: (1) electoral process and
pluralism, (2) civil pluralism, (2) civil liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5) liberties, (3) the functioning of government, (4) political participation, and (5)
Caribbean region’s overal score went down for the Caribbean region’s overal score went down for the
democracies are democracies are
and human rights worldwide. It has published and human rights worldwide. It has published a global report on political rights and civil liberties, now cal ed Freedom in the World, annual y since 1972.8 The 2020
report covers 195 countries and 15 territories. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points report covers 195 countries and 15 territories. Freedom House assigns each country 0 to 4 points
100 100 points. The calculation equal y weights a country’s aggregate political rights and civil liberties 6 EIU, Democracy Index 2020: In sickness and in health? 2020, at https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/, p. 36. 7 Ibid. 8 Until 1978, the annual report was titled The Comparative Study of Freedom. Congressional Research Service 4 link to page 9 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices scores then determines whether it has
covering covering
Index
Mexico and Central America, as doe Mexico and Central America, as does Table 3 for South America. for South America.
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
Freedom in the World
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State (U.S. State
mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
Political
Civil
system system
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
Antigua &
Barbuda
(parliamentary (parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
85 85
Free Free
— —
— —
multiparty multiparty
democracy)democracy)
Bahamas
(constitutional (constitutional
— —
— —
— —
— —
91 91
Free Free
— —
— —
parliamentary parliamentary
democracy)democracy)
Barbados
(parliamentary (parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
95 95
Free Free
democracy) democracy)
democracy Belize
(constitutional (constitutional
parliamentary parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
Cuba
Hardline Hardline
Closed Closed
(authoritarian (authoritarian
110 110
autocracy autocracy
Authoritarian Authoritarian
Not free Not free
autocracy autocracy
state) state)
Dominica
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
93 93
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
CRS- CRS-
link to page link to page
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
Freedom in the World
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
Political
Civil
system system
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
Dominican
Republic
(representative 41 Defective 63 Flawed 67 26 41 Partly free 95 Electoral constitutional democracy democracy democracy democracy) democracy)
Grenada
(parliamentary (parliamentary
— —
— —
— —
— —
89 89
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
Guyana
(-) (multiparty (multiparty
Flawed Flawed
— —
democracy) democracy)
democracy democracy
Free Free
democracy democracy
Haiti
(constitutional (constitutional
Moderate Moderate
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
92 92
autocracy autocracy
regime regime
Partly free Partly free
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Jamaica
15 15
Democracy in Democracy in
Flawed Flawed
Free Free
Electoral Electoral
parliamentary parliamentary
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy) democracy)
St. Kitts and
Nevis
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
89 89
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy and democracy and
federation) federation)
CRS- CRS-
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Transformation Index
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
2020
Freedom in the World
2021 Political Country Transfor- (U.S. State mation Liberal Dept. political Dept. political
Political
Civil
system system
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
St. Lucia
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
— —
— —
— —
— —
Free Free
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
St. Vincent
and the
Grenadines
— —
— —
— —
— —
91 91
Free Free
— —
— —
(parliamentary (parliamentary
multiparty multiparty
democracy)democracy)
Suriname
(constitutional (constitutional
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
— —
— —
democracy) democracy)
democracy democracy
Free Free
democracy democracy
Trinidad &
Tobago
Democracy in Democracy in
Flawed Flawed
( (
+) (parliamentary (parliamentary
13 13
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
82 82
Free Free
43 43
democracy) democracy)
democracy Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s
Democracy Index
Notes: Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, al three are members of the Caribbean Although Belize is located in Central America and Guyana and Suriname are located in South America, al three are members of the Caribbean
higher category. higher category.
CRS- CRS-
link to page link to page
Table 2. Mexico and Central America:
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy
Transformation Index 2020
Freedom in the World
Report
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
Dept. political Dept. political
mation Global Political
Civil
system system
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
Costa Rica
(constitutional (constitutional
8 8
Democracy in Democracy in
Ful Ful
91 91
Free Free
republic) republic)
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
El Salvador
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
30 30
democracy democracy
Partly Free Partly Free
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Guatemala
(constitutional (constitutional
93 93
Moderate Moderate
Hybrid Hybrid
52 52
Partly free Partly free
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
autocracy autocracy
regime regime
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Honduras
(constitutional (constitutional
Moderate Moderate
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
83 83
autocracy autocracy
regime regime
Partly free Partly free
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Mexico
(federal (federal
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
59 59
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
Partly free Partly free
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Nicaragua
(constitutional (constitutional
94 94
Moderate Moderate
Authoritarian Authoritarian
Not free Not free
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
autocracy autocracy
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
CRS- CRS-
link to page link to page
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy
Transformation Index 2020
Freedom in the World
Report
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
Dept. political Dept. political
mation Global Political
Civil
system system
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
Panama
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
35 35
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
Free Free
democracy democracy
democracy) democracy)
Democracy Index
and his wife, Vice President Rosario Muril o Zambrana. Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (and his wife, Vice President Rosario Muril o Zambrana. Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front ( FSLN) party exercises total control over the executive, FSLN) party exercises total control over the executive,
legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.” legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.”
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
Transformation Index 2020
Freedom in the World
Country
Political Liberal (U.S. State (U.S. State
Dept. political Dept. political
mation Global Political
Civil
system system
Status
Regime
Aggregate
Rights
Liberties
Freedom
Regime
description) description)
Score
Score
Typ
Argentina
(federal (federal
Democracy in Democracy in
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
constitutional constitutional
16 16
consolidation consolidation
48 48
democracy democracy
Free Free
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Defective Defective
Hybrid Hybrid
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
41 41
democracy democracy
regime regime
Partly free Partly free
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Brazil
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Free Free
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Chile
(constitutional (constitutional
Democracy in Democracy in
Ful Ful
( (
+) multiparty multiparty
6 6
consolidation consolidation
democracy democracy
93 38 55 Free Free
democracy) democracy)
democracy Colombia
(constitutional (constitutional
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
44 44
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
Partly free Partly free
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Ecuador
(constitutional (constitutional
30 30
Defective Defective
Flawed Flawed
Partly free Partly free
Electoral Electoral
multiparty multiparty
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
democracy democracy
republic) republic)
Bertelsmann Stiftung
EIU Democracy Index
Freedom House
V-Dem Democracy Report
Transformation Index 2020
Freedom in the World
Country
Transfor-
Global
Global Rank
autocracy autocracy
republic) republic)
Source: Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s Compiled by CRS using the U.S. State Department’s
Democracy Index
higher category. higher category.
(which includes the prosecutor general and ombudsman), and electoral branches of government,(which includes the prosecutor general and ombudsman), and electoral branches of government,
existing elected one.existing elected one.
Table 4 provides resources for further information about democracy indicators in Central and provides resources for further information about democracy indicators in Central and
South America and the Caribbean, although many cover other geographic areas as wel . The South America and the Caribbean, although many cover other geographic areas as wel . The
sources are organized alphabetical y by title. This is not an exhaustive list. sources are organized alphabetical y by title. This is not an exhaustive list.
Table 4. Selected Resources for Democracy Indicators
Title
Organization
Resource Type
URL
Bertelsmann Stiftung's Bertelsmann Stiftung's
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Political Transformation Political Transformation
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
2020 Transformation 2020 Transformation
Index ranks 137 countries Index ranks 137 countries
Index Index
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Governance Index ranks Governance Index ranks
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
137 countries 137 countries
project.org/en/index/ project.org/en/index/
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Regional report on Regional report on
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
the project.org/content/en/ project.org/content/en/
Bertelsmann Stiftung Bertelsmann Stiftung
Global report Global report
https://www.bti- https://www.bti-
countries countries
project.org/content/en/ project.org/content/en/
https://www.v- https://www.v-
(V-Dem) (V-Dem)
countries countries
dem.net/media/filer_publi dem.net/media/filer_publi
c/c/
Electoral Integrity
Electoral Integrity Project, Electoral Integrity Project,
Report and data from Report and data from
https://www.electoralinteg https://www.electoralinteg
Worldwide 2019
an independent academic an independent academic
cumulative study covering cumulative study covering
rityproject.com/the-year- rityproject.com/the-year-
project based at Harvard project based at Harvard
national presidential and national presidential and
in-elections- in-elections-
University and the University and the
parliamentary elections parliamentary elections
University of Sydney University of Sydney
from July 1, 2012 to from July 1, 2012 to
December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018
Freedom in the World
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
countries and territories sites/default/files/sites/default/files/
Freedom House Freedom House
Map Map
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
explore-the-explore-the-
map?type=fiw&year=map?type=fiw&year=
Freedom House Freedom House
Country ranking list Country ranking list
https://freedomhouse.org/ https://freedomhouse.org/
countries/freedom-countries/freedom-
world/world/scores Congressional Research Service 17 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices Title Organization Resource Type URL
International Institute for International Institute for
Interactive map looks at Interactive map looks at
https://www.idea.int/gsod- https://www.idea.int/gsod-
Democracy Indices Democracy Indices
2019 Democracy and Electoral Democracy and Electoral
indices/#/indices/world- indices/#/indices/world-
Assistance’s (International Assistance’s (International
countries from 1975- countries from 1975-
IDEA) Global State of IDEA) Global State of
Democracy Initiative Democracy Initiative
International Institute for International Institute for
Report looks at global Report looks at global
https://www.idea.int/sites/ https://www.idea.int/sites/
2019
Democracy and Electoral Democracy and Electoral
trends in democracy trends in democracy
from default/files/publications/ default/files/publications/
Assistance Assistance
1975-2015 across 158 1975-2015 across 158
countries countries
democracy-2019.pdf democracy-2019.pdf
Rule of Law Index 2020
World Justice Project World Justice Project
Report measures how the https://worldjusticeproject Report measures how the https://worldjusticeproject
rule of law is experienced rule of law is experienced
.org/sites/default/files/ .org/sites/default/files/
and perceived in 128 and perceived in 128
countries and jurisdictions countries and jurisdictions
2020-Online_0.pdf Online_0.pdf
World Justice Project World Justice Project
Interactive map and data Interactive map and data
https://www.worldjusticep https://www.worldjusticep
tables cover 128 tables cover 128
roject.org/rule-of-law- roject.org/rule-of-law-
countries and jurisdictions countries and jurisdictions
index/ index/
Mexico States Rule of Law
World Justice Project World Justice Project
https://worldjusticeproject https://worldjusticeproject
Index 2019-2020
adherence to the rule of adherence to the rule of
.org/sites/default/files/ .org/sites/default/files/
law in Mexico's 32 states law in Mexico's 32 states
(also available in Spanish) (also available in Spanish)
Worldwide Governance Worldwide Governance
World Bank World Bank
Data on Data on
https://info.worldbank.org https://info.worldbank.org
Indicators Indicators
/governance/wgi/ /governance/wgi/
for 214 countries from 1996-countries from 1996-
Voice and Accountability Voice and Accountability
indicator indicator
Source: Compiled by Compiled by
Author Information
Carla Y. Davis-Castro Carla Y. Davis-Castro
Research Librarian Research Librarian
Congressional Research Service 18 Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Compilation of Selected Indices
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