Democracy Index 2016
How do you think the U.S. scored on the most recent Economist Democracy Index?
How accurate was your prediction?
How surprised are you by the US democracy score?
Why do you think the US scored at that level of democracy?
Do you believe that Donald Trump is a cause or a consequence of our democracy score?
What factors do you think the Economist takes into account when making their rankings?
How do you think the US would have scored on this index 20 years ago?
Explain whether you think Donald Trump will strengthen or weaken American democracy.
Democracy is based on a foundation of political rights (like voting) and civil liberties (like freedom of speech and the press), What specific steps do you think Donald Trump will take regarding these rights and liberties?
How do you think the US will score after four years of Donald Trump?
In many states, convicted felons permanently lose their right to vote, even once they have been freed from prison. Is this democratic? Is it just? Is it a good idea?
Many states have made it increasingly harder for minorities to vote. Is this democratic? Is it just? Is it a good idea?
In several Southern states disenfranchisement among African American men has reached levels unseen since before the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Regarding voting and democracy are we moving in a good direction?
What policy could Donald Trump take to make America more democratic?
What could you, as a citizen, do to make America more democratic?
Outside of the US, what trends do you see in this map regarding world democracy?
What most surprised you about this information?
What questions do you have about this?
Is this good news?
Learning Extension
Read this analysis of the 2016 Economist Democracy Index.
Action Extension
Contact the White House with one recommendation of how they could make America democratic again. Share your recommendation in class or online.
Bonus Map
The Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2008
