Arab Democracy Index

Can the Arab world, with all its complexities, specificities and fluctuating realities be subjected to quantitative assessment and represented in a set of indicators where numbers are supposed to inform on the state of its political, social and economic health?

 

Implicit in the approach are a number of values that the report seeks to promote, among which the belief in an Arab community with interest in democracy that perceives the Arab countries as a relevant space for debate over similar concerns and sees comparison and exchange as a useful exercise ; the need for Arab societies to press for access to information which is recognized as a right in open societies; the idea that assessing governments' performance over time and highlighting their achievements and shortcomings is a way of holding them accountable.

 

Numbers don't speak all the truth but their dryness triggers debate, causes public opinion to comment and governments to react by protesting and often by challenging such attempts coming from below to rate and rank them. In this regard, numbers can become a powerful tool for advancing democratic debate.

Data gathered for the Arab Democracy Index covers three different dimensions:

 

Measurement is based, therefore, on monitoring performance and behaviour rather than just examining intentions and theoretical criteria, like legislation and rules.