In the most recent ranking by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for the year 2023, Chile experienced a significant change in its democratic status. It went from being considered a “full democracy” to a “defective democracy”, according to the criteria established by this annual study.
This transformation has generated a debate in public opinion about the factors that have led to this change in the country’s democratic qualification. It is relevant to highlight that in the ranking of the previous year, 2022, Chile appeared as a full democracy, showing a situation diametrically opposite to the current one.
According to The Economist’s analysis, Chile fell six places in the ranking, going from number 19 to 25, with an average score of 7.98 out of 10, placing it in the category of “defective democracy.” This decline is based on the evaluation of five key aspects: government functioning, electoral and pluralism, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.
It is important to note that in this ranking, the nations considered “full democracies” extend up to 24th place. From 25th place onwards, they are classified as “defective”, which places Chile in this last category.
The most democratic countries, according to The Economist’s ranking, include Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Taiwan, respectively. On the other hand, countries with less democracy, classified as authoritarian, include Myanmar, Afghanistan, North Korea, the Central African Republic and Syria, among others.
This change in Chile’s ranking in the democracy index highlights the importance of maintaining and strengthening democratic institutions, as well as addressing the challenges and deficiencies identified in the country’s political and social system. It is crucial for development and stability to continue working to promote transparency, citizen participation and respect for civil and political rights.
