demokratiakriteerit

Demokratiakriteerit are a set of standards used to evaluate the status and quality of democratic governance in a given country. The concept emerged from European political science research in the 1990s and has since been adopted by international NGOs, academic journals, and multilateral organizations. These criteria typically cover institutional, participatory, and substantive aspects of democracy.

Institutional criteria focus on the legitimacy and effectiveness of political institutions. They include free and fair elections, the rule of law, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, and a system of checks and balances. Electoral integrity, voter registration processes, campaign financing transparency, and the presence of impartial electoral bodies fall under this category.

Participatory criteria assess the degree to which citizens can influence policymaking. They encompass the availability and quality of public debate, civil society freedom, freedom of expression, and the existence of mechanisms that allow for public scrutiny and accountability. These criteria also examine the extent to which minority rights are protected.

Substantive criteria evaluate how well the interests of the population are reflected in political decisions. They look at social equity, freedom from discrimination, the fairness of economic policies, and the degree of public participation in budgeting and planning processes.

International organisations such as Freedom House, the World Bank, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe use variations of demokratiakriteerit to produce comparative reports. Although the exact indicators may differ, the underlying aim remains the same: to provide an objective, systematic assessment of democratic health and to guide reforms toward deeper democratic norms.