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Democracy

reportDec 6, 2022

A photo of people using cellphones. (Getty Images)

Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.

data essayDec 7, 2021

reportNov 22, 2021

reportOct 21, 2021

A woman votes at a polling station on Oct. 4, 2021, in Turin, Italy. (Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)

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Democracy

Publications

short readsNov 18, 2015

Where the world sees limits to free speech

In principle, most people around the world support freedom of expression. But there is a fine line between general support for freedom of speech and support for specific forms of expression.
reportNov 18, 2015

Global Support for Principle of Free Expression, but Opposition to Some Forms of Speech

Although many observers have documented a global decline in democratic rights in recent years, people around the world nonetheless embrace fundamental democratic values, including free expression. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that majorities in nearly all 38 nations polled say it is at least somewhat important to live in a country with free […]
reportOct 15, 2015

Deep Divisions in Turkey as Election Nears

Turks are split on whether their democratic system is working, and views of Erdogan are at their lowest since 2012. But they still prefer a democratic form of government over a strong leader to guide their country.
short readsAug 14, 2015

People in U.S., Latin America approve of renewing U.S. ties with Cuba

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) say they approve of the U.S. renewing ties with Cuba. A similar median of 77% across five Latin American countries surveyed also approve of this action.
reportJul 21, 2015

Latin Americans Approve of U.S. Re-establishing Diplomatic Ties with Cuba

While Latin Americans approve of the U.S. re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, they hold mixed views on Cuba overall and have little confidence in Raul Castro.
reportDec 18, 2014

Many in Emerging and Developing Nations Disconnected from Politics

In recent years, high-profile protest movements have erupted in several emerging and developing countries, roiling, and sometimes overturning, the political status quo in Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Ukraine, Brazil, Thailand and other nations. Millions have demonstrated, and activists have pioneered new forms of online engagement.
reportOct 15, 2014

Tunisian Confidence in Democracy Wanes

With parliamentary elections approaching later this month, Tunisian support for democracy has declined steeply since the early days of the Arab Spring. Just 48% of Tunisians now say democracy is preferable to other kinds of government, down from 63% in a 2012 poll conducted only months after a popular uprising removed longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from office.
short readsMay 28, 2014

El-Sisi likely to win Egypt election, but questions about mandate remain

Low turnout in Egypt’s presidential election has raised concerns that a victory for former general Abdel Fattah El-Sisi would leave the government without a sufficient mandate.
short readsJan 23, 2014

Anti-poll tax amendment is 50 years old today

The value in today’s dollars of the annual poll tax once imposed by several Southern states.
short readsSep 23, 2013

Study: Early voting associated with lower turnout

The country’s most widely adopted reform designed to make voting easier may lower the chances that an individual voter will go to the polls, according to a new study.