democraticness

Democraticness refers to the degree to which a political system or entity exhibits characteristics associated with democracy. It is not a binary state but rather a spectrum, meaning that polities can be more or less democratic. Measuring democraticness involves assessing various factors, including the extent of political participation, the protection of civil liberties, the fairness and competitiveness of elections, the accountability of government officials, and the presence of the rule of law.

Scholars and organizations have developed numerous indices and typologies to quantify and categorize democraticness. These often examine elements such as the freedom of the press, the independence of the judiciary, the absence of corruption, and the ability of citizens to organize and express dissent. A higher score on a democraticness index generally indicates a more robust and inclusive democratic system.

Conversely, a lack of democraticness, or authoritarianism, is characterized by limited political freedoms, suppression of opposition, and a concentration of power. The concept of democraticness acknowledges that even established democracies may have areas where they fall short of ideal democratic principles, prompting ongoing efforts for reform and improvement. The term is also applied to non-state actors or organizations to assess their internal decision-making processes and governance structures.