ISLAMABAD: A global survey conducted recently in 43 countries sheds light on the diverse perspectives regarding democracy and governance, revealing both widespread support and significant challenges. According to the findings of the survey, approximately 59% of respondents across the surveyed nations consider democracy as the best system of governance, while only 14% disagree, with a notable portion remaining neutral on the matter.

Yet, the level of support for democracy varies across regions, with West Asia, East Asia, and Latin America showing less enthusiastic approval compared to the Western world. In Russia, in particular, only 22% of respondents believe democracy is the optimal governance system, indicating a significant discrepancy in attitudes towards democratic principles.

One of the survey’s key revelations is the precarious state of confidence in democratic institutions. While democracy enjoys broad support in principle, there’s a growing skepticism regarding its implementation. Only 35% of respondents worldwide believe their country is truly ruled by the will of the people, with 40% expressing disagreement.

Kancho Stoychev, president of GIA (Global Insights Association), offered insight into the findings, suggesting a potential crisis of democracy. Stoychev highlighted the declining faith in the fairness of elections, with less than half of respondents globally convinced of their country’s electoral integrity. He emphasized the complexity of the issue, attributing the erosion of trust to a multitude of factors, including the proliferation of misinformation and the widening gap between the populace and political elites.

Stoychev’s remarks underscore a concerning trend of polarization and radicalization across the political spectrum, mirroring the widening chasm between citizens and their governing institutions. As perceptions of democracy and electoral fairness become increasingly blurred, addressing these challenges becomes imperative to uphold the principles of democratic governance worldwide.