Statistics on Support for Human Rights and Democracy

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Content:

1. Support for human rights
2. Support for democracy
2.1. Data on perceptions in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
2.2. Data on perceptions in Muslim countries
2.3. Data on perceptions in African countries
2.4. Data on perceptions in Russia
2.5. Data on perceptions in South-America

1. Support for human rights

Most of the data are taken from the 2003 report of the Pew Global Attitudes Project.

The data show that for 4 groups of countries in 4 continents, there are clear majorities for the desirability of these rights. They also show the gap between desires and reality. Most of the respondents in these countries feel that their governments do not protect their rights adequately.

In the U.K. there is currently some controversy over a series of infringements on human rights, mostly following 9-11 and the London bombings. Here’s a survey of the way in which these are received by the public:

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2. Support for democracy

Here are some data on the levels of support for democracy among ordinary citizens.

2.1. Data on perceptions in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

(source: EBRD, Transition Report 2007: People in Transition)

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2.2. Data on perceptions in Muslim countries

(source)

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2.3. Data on perceptions in African countries

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2.4. Data on perceptions in Russia

(source)

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2.5. Data on perceptions in South-America

I didn’t find any data for China. If someone can help, please comment.

So we can see that, with some exceptions, democracy is almost universally considered to be a desirable and preferable form of government. When people are asked whether the political reality in their countries conforms to the ideal of democracy, they are – no surprise there – sceptical:

(source)

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