we have taken the questions that we think are the most important and modified them to fit a broader amount of regimes. We then have added a weighting to each answer. The lower the score is that a regime receives the less democratic that regime is and vis versa.
Group Members
Cassandra Harris
Aliesha Singh
Michael McGoverne
Emily Watson
Rebekah Fistonich
Nicola Robbins
Georgie Quinn
Victoria Bostan
Checklist
Political Rights
- Are there free and fair elections for the executive and legislature?
0 points= No elections for executive or legislature
1 point= Elections for either the executive or legislature but their fairness and freedom is disputed
2 points= Elections for E and L but with a low likelihood of turnover
3 points= Competitive with a high chance of rotation of power and elections for both executive and legislature
Definition of free and fair (regular) elections:
Many elements of free and fair elections need to be satisfied including freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom from fear of connection between the election and the campaign and absence of impediments to standing for election. To ensure elections are fair the process needs to be transparent, opportunities to be elected must be equal, voting ballots must be secret, voters must not be intimidated into voting and votes must be correctly counted.
- To what extent does Universal suffrage occur?
0= An adult has no right to vote in an election
1= Partial suffrage; restrictions such as ethnicity, race, religion or gender etc
2= The majority of individuals can vote with milder exceptions e.g. age discrimination
3= All adult individuals can vote, i.e. Universal Suffrage
Definition: Suffrage must be broadly defined as the right/freedom to vote. No suffrage refers to regimes where there is no opportunity to vote entirely. Partial suffrage describes situations where particular groups can vote but restrictions exist, maintaining discrimination against other groupings e.g. ethnicity, race, religion or gender. Where the majority of the population has suffrage and the only discriminations are age discriminations (i.e. NZ), this is awarded 2 points. Universal suffrage occurs in regimes where an individuals right to vote is not restricted by any grouping or discrimination.
- Do all people have full political rights and electoral opportunities?
0= The majority of people do not have them
1= Partial people have them
2= The majority of people do have them
3= Yes
Definition: Political rights ensures everyone has the ability to participate in political life without oppression. Political rights include natural justice, right to a fair trial, due process, right to seek legal remedy and the right to participate in civil society. Electoral rights allow adults to be free from 'tests' or 'conditions' as a requirement to vote, voters are free from intimidation or coercion, voters have a right to a secret ballot, and every adult voter has the right to become a member of the legislature.
Note: Electoral rights are not restricted by a reasonable voting age i.e. New Zealand.
- Is the govt free from corruption, accountable and transparent?
0= No on all accounts
1= 1/3
2= 2/3
3= Yes on all accounts
Notes: See the ratings given by Transparency International to help determine this.
5. Is there an opposition vote and is there a possibility for the opposition to gain power through
elections?
0= There is no opposition
1= There is opposition however there is no chance for them to gain power
2= There is opposition however there is a low likelihood of turnover
3= There is significant opposition and there is the possibility to gain power through elections
Civil Liberties
- Does the regime uphold the rule of law?
0= Arbitrary power wielded by the state
1= Leadership exists above the law and is not subject to the rule of law
2= Generally upheld, but notable breaches occur
3= All individuals including the govt are subject to the rule of law
Definition: The Rule of Law is the constitutional principle that ensures all persons and authorities are bound by and equal before the law, and are publically accountable in independent and impartial courts. Rule of Law requires the law to be clear, predictable and prospective; for public ministers to act in good faith; and compliance by the state with its international law obligations. Any inequality in the law should be justified, i.e. children.
- Are there free and independent media?
0= Complete regime control of media
1= Partial censorship and/or significant self censorship and/or significant govt intervention
2= Minor self censorship but no state censorship
3= Complete free and independent media
Definition: Freedom of the press or media is the freedom of communication and expression through various mediums. This freedom implies the absence of interference from a state. Complete regime control of media means that the media are entirely state-owned, censored or systematically repressed. Self censorship is the act of censoring one’s own work out of fear or defence, without overt pressure from any specific institution.
- Do all human beings have the following fundamental human rights: freedom of assembly/association, freedom of speech/expression, freedom of mobility
0= Any regime who denies the civilians these rights or actively suppresses them completely
1= Partial rights exist in the regime but there exists heavy suppression
2= Rights are present with minor suppression
3= All of these rights are upheld for all individuals and not suppressed in anyway possible
Definition: The fundamental human rights listed are important aspects of a democratic society. The freedom of mobility (the right to travel) asserts that a citizen has the liberty to travel, live in, and work in any part of the state and to leave that state and return at anytime. The freedom of assembly/association allows individuals to freely participate in any group in society and to create collective associations. Freedom of expression then allows individuals to collectively express their common interests which helps form public opinion (vital in a democratic society). Freedom of religion can be encompassed under both headings.
Final Scaling:
0-7= Least democratic
8-16= Partially democratic
17-20= Mostly democratic
21- 24=Democracy 
I'm in this group too :)
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