Multiple annual measures of political openness and the rule of law have found both in global decline in recent years. The latest Rule of Law Index, released by the World Justice Project (WJP) Wednesday, underscores this democratic recession.

As checks and balances on governments have weakened, authoritarianism has “become entrenched,” the nonprofit noted. This, in turn, has constricted freedom of expression, association, and civic participation in about two-thirds of the 143 countries assessed.

But there are also positive glimmers: The share of countries registering decline dropped from 68% in 2025 to 62% this year.…