After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the global freedom num...

Both China and Russia have both hit lows in freedom according to the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes. For the first time in our data's 29 year history, Russia has fallen below China.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/28/24

After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the global freedom num...

Prosperity worldwide has struggled to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the US has experienced a prosperity decline for an entire decade. The US still remains in the highest category of prosperity in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, but is struggling to progress compared to other cou...

As Paul Kagame prepares to be inaugurated for his fourth term on October 11, he extends a presidency that has lasted since 2000. Rwanda has increased significantly in prosperity, economic freedom, and rule of law under his tenure, but struggles in political freedom.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 08/09/24

As we honor aid workers and those they serve on World Humanitarian Day, it is important to consider the role security and civil liberties play in ensuring aid is safely delivered to those who need it. In the latest episode of "Democracy Pulse," Nina Dannaoui of the Freedom and Prosperity Center b...

Mexico has just elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its next president in a landslide victory, and she will take office on October 1. As she prepares to become the country's next leader, attention will focus on separation of powers and strengthening political freedom.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 06/11/24

Indian voters are heading to the polls from April 19 to June 1, in what will be the largest election in history.

As Prime Minister Modi runs for another term, the rights of religious minorities and political opposition are called into question.

The Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity C...

World Press Freedom Day, celebrated each year on May 3, is an important reminder that independent media is key to building informed and accountable societies.

The Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center tracks freedom across the globe, and a free press is a key component of political a...

Protests broke out after Parliament met to attempt to overturn a Constitutional Court ruling on election laws. James Storen breaks down Indonesia's trends in both rule of law and judicial independence and effectiveness in the latest episode of Democracy Pulse.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 09/06/24

ELECTIONS UNDER THREAT: PRIORITIES FOR 2024, 2025, AND BEYOND - Autocrats around the world are curtailing political freedoms and undermining the integrity of elections to expand their power. Candidates are increasingly willing to cast doubt on legitimate election results, and violence is steadily...

After increases in the 1990s and 2000s, political freedom across the globe has been on the decline since 2013. Political rights and civil liberties have seen especially sharp drops in the past decade.

Atlantic Council Freedom and Prosperity Center Deputy Director Nina Dannaoui breaks down the g...

2024 FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY INDEXES LAUNCH - 2024 is set to shape the global trajectory of freedom and prosperity for years to come, as nearly half of the world’s population is voting in elections in sixty-four countries, representing over half of the global gross domestic product.

According to...

FREEDOM, PROSPERITY AND SENEGAL’S ELECTION - After a period of uncertainty, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has won the election in Senegal, and April 2 marks the day of his inauguration. As his term commences, Rutendo Mudzamiri, Director of Development with the Atlantic Council Freedom and Prosperity Cent...

WE WIN, THEY LOSE: REPUBLICAN FOREIGN POLICY AND THE NEW COLD WAR - In 1977, then presidential candidate Ronald Reagan was discussing foreign affairs when he said, “My idea of American policy toward the Soviet Union is simple, and some would say simplistic. It is this: We win, and they lose.” Jus...

DECODING PROGRESS: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND THE EVOLUTION OF WOMEN'S ECONOMIC FREEDOM - Dive into the global evolution of women's economic freedom with our latest video. Join us in celebrating International Women's Day by exploring the strides made and the work that lies ahead.

The Atlanti...

PATRICK QUIRK AND LAUREN VAN METRE CONTRAST DEMOCRATIC AND AUTHORITARIAN DEVELOPMENT MODELS - At the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, nonresident senior fellows Patrick Quirk and Lauren Van Metre compare the authoritarian development models in Russia and China with the de...

ALEJANDRA LÓPEZ DE ALBA GÓMEZ AND RECREATING THE PROSPERITY INDEX IN MEXICO - Alejandra López de Alba Gómez of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations discussed how her organization recreated the Prosperity Index for Mexican states and broke down the key takeaways from their findings

Learn mor...

JÉRÉMIE BERTRAND AND JOSEPH LEMOINE DISCUSS THE PRIMARY FACTORS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT - Presenting their research at the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, Jérémie Bertrand of the IÉSEG School of Management and the Atlantic Council’s Joseph Lemoine used the F...

ADRIAN BĂZĂVAN ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES - Presenting his findings at the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, Adrian Băzăvan of the Romanian Ministry of Energy discusses the importance of innovation in developing countries and its role in promot...

JULIO AMADOR DIAZ LOPEZ ON INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION AROUND THE WORLD - At the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, senior advisor Julio Amador Diaz Lopez highlights how different investments in technology help push innovation in countries around the world. 
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IGNACIO CAMPOMANES ON THE LINK BETWEEN FREEDOM AND ECONOMIC GROWTH - Speaking at the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, senior advisor Ignacio Campomanes uses the Freedom Index to analyze the interaction between economic, political, and legal dimensions of freedom and their...

KELLEY CURRIE ON DEVELOPMENT IN MYANMAR - At the second annual Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, nonresident senior fellow Kelley Currie discusses how development efforts by both multilateral organizations and China have impacted Myanmar.

Learn more about the Freedom and Prosperity C...

SECOND ANNUAL FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY RESEARCH CONFERENCE - On February 27, 2024, the Freedom and Prosperity Center will host its second annual Research Conference at the Atlantic Council Headquarters in Washington, DC. Scholars and policymakers from around the world will have an opportunity to pr...