International IDEA’s State of Democracy Assessment

Methodology (SoD)

Introduction

Background & Objectives Attributes The Framework & Questions The Planning Process Assessments Lessons

Background

Developed in 2000

Based on the UK Democratic Audit methodology designed for the UK by Professors David Beetham & Stuart Weir

Why a SoD?

A qualitative assessment- complements quantitative assessments & analysis;

For motivating citizen participation in the evaluation of their democracy;

Focus on in-country debates, dialogues & agenda setting for democratic reform; rather than cross-country comparison;

Locally/Nationally led & owned Vs externally led/owned

Principles & Attributes

Clear demoratic principles: Popular control & Political Equality

Flexibility: Whole, in part, targeted & specific, context sensitive

Universal in application: Developed, developing countries, new & established democracies

Range of Use: agenda setting; academic purpose; awareness raising; evidence-based advocacy;

Clear mediating values:Participation, Authorisation, representation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, Solidarity

Comprehensive: Links principles & mediating values with institutions & processes; and formal arrangements with practice.

The Questions

Four (4) pillars; 15 overarching questions; 75 specific questions

Questions are in comparative mode-- because democracies differ in degrees, they have weaknesses & strengths

Planning Process Clearly define purpose of assessment;

Define priorities for assessment-- (whole, in part, targeted, additional context specific issues?);

Define comparators (National? Regional? Int.?);

Planning Process

Determine data sources to be used (new, existing?);

Decide on consultative arrangements/ assessment; legitimation: Professional + Political;

Selection of assessors + division of labour (multi- disciplinary, & multi-stakeholder team recommended);

Planning Process

Modes of publication of findings (language (s), medium, what products?

Promotional strategy; Integration into reform process; Project time-frame (one of, rolling,

institutionalised?) Resources: what is needed & what is available

will determine breadth + depth of assessment

Assessments

25 assessments since 2000 Two assessments Government led

(Mongolia, The Netherlands) One Government supported: Latvia The rest conducted by Independent

institutions

Lessons

Capacity building for teams (Mongolia) Various motivations for assessments Various uses Policy reform/impact (Philippines,

Mongolia)

THANK YOU!!

For More Information: www.idea.int/sod