(red) or
democratizing (blue) substantially and significantly (2010–2020). Countries in grey are substantially unchanged. V-Dem maintains the Regimes of the World index, which classifies governments using data from its other indices as either a
closed autocracy,
electoral autocracy,
electoral democracy, or
liberal democracy. It is heavily inspired by Robert Dahl's theory of
polyarchy based on six institutional guarantees: elected officials, free and fair elections, freedom of expression, alternative sources of information, associational autonomy, and inclusive citizenship.
Autocracies Regimes where leaders are not
de facto accountable to citizens and may lack multiparty or free and fair elections. Dahl's institutional prerequisites are not fulfilled. ;Closed Autocracy Governments which lack multiparty elections for the chief executive or the legislature, or lack any competition such as in
one-party states. Legislative institutions are
de facto undermined and electoral accountability is evaded. ;Electoral Autocracy Governments where the chief executive, legislature, or both are accountable in
de jure multiparty elections. They fall short of democratic standards due to irregularities, limitations on party competition, and violations of Dahl's prerequisites. They are closely related to theories of
electoral authoritarianism and
competitive authoritarianism.
Democracies Regimes with
de facto multiparty, free and fair elections. Dahl's institutional prerequisites are at least minimally fulfilled. ;Electoral Democracy Regimes that possess the bare minimum to be considered a democracy. They are "de-facto accountable to citizens through periodic elections", but are not liberal democracies and lack further entrenched individual and minority rights beyond the electoral sphere. Basic electoral democracies may not possess a fully developed
rule of law, legislative and judicial oversight of the executive branch, protections against the "
tyranny of the majority", and only minimal fulfillment of Robert Dahl's institutional prerequisites for democracy. ;Liberal Democracy Regimes that possess the rule of law and satisfy
liberal principles. They provide
checks and balances between legislative and judicial oversight of the executive branch, limitations on government to prevent the "tyranny of the majority", protect individual liberties, and provide equal access to and protection under the law. A fully developed rule of law is essential for liberal democracies, as it ensures decisions are implemented. It is sometimes referred to as a "
Madisonian" democracy. == Digital Society Project ==