Time has come for a new, fact-based narrative of democracy: Democracy delivers!

Contrary to what some may wish to project, democracies outperform autocracies. New data-based research by Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) shows that:

Democracies are more peaceful.
Democracies experience higher economic growth and lower poverty-rates.
Democracies provide better services such as electricity, the internet, and clean water.
Democracies deliver better human health, higher life expectancy, and lower infant mortality.
Democracies see higher levels and more equitable distribution of education.
Democracies are better at caring for the environment and at combating climate change.

PROGRAM:

Opening remarks: Johan Forsell, Minister for Trade and Development, Sweden

Special message: Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, European Commission

Keynote: “Democracy Delivers” - Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, US Department of State

Presentation: “The Case for Democracy” - Professor Staffan I. Lindberg, Director, Varieties of Democracy Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Panel Discussion: “A new narrative for democracy” - Moderated by Birgitta Ohlsson, Director for Political Parties, National Democratic Institute, and former Minister for Democracy/the EU

Panelists:

Professor Staffan Lindberg, Director for V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Wai Wai Nu, Executive Director, Women Peace Network Myanmar, & Former Political Prisoner

Douglas Rutzen, President, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

Maggie Dougherty, Senior Professional Staff Member, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Closing remarks: H.E. Karin Olofsdotter, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States

Photo: V-dem/ Shutterstock/Kan Sangtong

Making the Case for Democracy Ahead of The Summit for Democracy