Freedom is declining in the world

It does not look good for freedom and democracy in the world:

Global freedom declined for a fifth straight year in 2010 as authoritarian regimes dug in worldwide and crime and unrest plagued democracies like Mexico, a US watchdog said Thursday.
In "Freedom in the World 2011" the Washington-based Freedom House said it had documented the longest continuous period of decline since it began compiling the annual index nearly 40 years ago.
"A total of 25 countries showed significant declines in 2010, more than double the 11 countries exhibiting noteworthy gains," the group said.

 

"Authoritarian regimes like those in China, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela continued to step up repressive measures with little significant resistance from the democratic world," it said.

PS
The fact that the present leaders of the democratic countries do not seem to care about the decline of freedom is a very sad - and dangerous - sign of our time. Fortunately, as so often before, there are some positive signs in the US that may lead to sounder view of the world.