IDI Statement in Honor of International Day of Democracy
Israeli democracy is dealing with complicated challenges, but we are in a good place in comparison to other countries around the world
In honor of International Day of Democracy, which takes place tomorrow, Sept. 15, the Israel Democracy Institute presents the challenges and opportunities of Israeli democracy by comparing international indices with survey questions we included in our last Israel Democracy Index.
Israel is in general in a good place among the middle of the pack of twenty eight countries measured against eight indices. We can be especially encouraged by the high grade (8.89 out of 10) Israel received for the political involvement of its citizens. We can also be encouraged from Israel’s standing on the Freedom Index; Israel received 6.5 out of 7. Israel also receives good grades in other fields, such as its handling of corruption and the functioning of its government.
However, in the realm of freedom of the press there has been deterioration in the past year; Israel fell from “free” to “partially free” in 2015. Also, with regards to civil rights, Israel is ranked in the lower half with a grade of 5.88 out of 10. When it comes to socioeconomic policy, Israel is in a mid to low place relative to European countries and others in the OECD with a grade of 5.7 out of 10.
IDI emphasizes that the challenges of Israel as a young democracy are still before us, especially when it comes to freedom of the press and human rights. In some areas, Israel is a “thin democracy.” However, we should look at the cup as half-full, at Israel’s successes amidst its inherent internal and external challenges.
For more information and comparators, read Chapter 6 of the 2015 Israel Democracy Index, beginning on page 91, which compares Israel to other international players>>
Read the Inter-Parliamentary Unions “Universal Declaration on Democracy”>>