Better Democracies Than US
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betterdemocracies.bsky.social
Better Democracies Than US
@betterdemocracies.bsky.social
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This account identifies non-US societies acting more Democratically than the United States. Where possible, rankings under the Economic Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index and the Global State of Democracy Initiative Indices are provided. #HumanRights
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betterdemocracies.bsky.social
The 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is out. The US has fallen another space, down to 27 (Index score .68). Wait until you see who is ranked above us.

worldjusticeproject.org/rule-of-law-...

The screenshot below shows the rankings for the United States, from .74 in 2015 to .68 in 2025.
Graphic from page of the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index page for the United States, showing the lowering of US rankings from .74 in 2015 to .68 in 2025.
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
betterdemocracies.bsky.social
In 2017, Venezuela's Attorney General dismissed by its Assembly, loyal to Pres Nicolas Maduro after an election rife w/ fraud. Maduro installed his own, loyal AG.

US AG Bondi urged DOJ attorneys in Feb 2025 memo to zealously defend Trump's policies & actions.

GSoD-RuleOfLaw 173 v 8
DI 2.25 v 7.85
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL he global coalition against corruption Q Search About What we do Countries Campaigns Donate News Blog Press Publications Home / Press / Venezuela: without an independent judiciary, there is no democracy VENEZUELA: WITHOUT AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY 8 August 2017 Transparency International, the global anti-corruption organisation, and its national chapter in Venezuela, Transparencia Venezuela, reject the dismissal of the country's Attorney General by the National Constituent Assembly, because the Assembly is not a legitimate representative of the people. The make-up of the Assembly, which was elected on 30 July amid widespread reports of electoral fraud, only includes people loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. This concentrates yet more power in the hands of the ruling party. The Assembly's summary action to dismiss the Attorney General violates the principle of judicial independence, which is a crucial element of any democracy and essential to the fight against corruption. "Without an autonomous judiciary that provides for checks and balances to the government democracy is impossible. The lack of an independent Attorney General Office in Venezuela will result in even more impunity for illicit enrichment in a country where corruption is already rampant," said José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International. "People die from hunger and lack of medicines while the politically well-connected abuse their power for private gain." Judicial investigations into human rights violations and corruption cases involving public officials, including those allegations surrounding the Odebrecht network, must continue. The harassment and intimidation of dissenting voices in Venezuela must stop. This includes the intimidation of ordinary people, opposition politicians and the former Attorney General. It is time for the Venezuelan authorities to listen to their citizens and let them exercise their democratic rights.
October 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
betterdemocracies.bsky.social
In Syria's first election 10/5/25 Pres al-Sharaa picked 1/3 of legislature, w/others chosen by subcommittees. No pop vote.

Pres Trump redistricted Texas w/approval of legislators & Gov, no pop vote. Admitted in court 10/4/25 its purpose to gain GOP seats.

GSoD Participation 170 v 8
DI 1.32 v 7.85
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/everything-you-need-to-know-about-syrias-first-post-assad-elections
October 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
betterdemocracies.bsky.social
Better Democracies Than US illustrates through a daily story how people in a non-US country exercise their civil liberties, then compares how such rights would be exercised or restricted in the US in 2025.

Each post concludes by showing ranks of State 1 v US under accepted global Democracy Indexes.
Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index may be found at https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/democracy-index-eiu International IDEA's Global State of Democracy Indices include rankings based upon Representation, Rights, Rule of Law, and Participation rather than classifying regimes on an overall basis. Their rankings may be found at https://www.idea.int/gsod/2024/countries/
October 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
betterdemocracies.bsky.social
In 2013, I taught international law to 60 judges in Yemen, including 2 women. They removed their Nikab while sitting on the bench, saying Yemeni citizens had a right to see their unmasked face.

Contra, anonymous masked ICE agents arrest & assault US citizens.

DI
1.95 v. 7.85
GSOD-Rights
168 v. 32
The Trump administration deployed masked ICE and CBP agents to Chicago, demonstrating a violation of each American's Constitutional rights. Photo: Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
October 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM