kathimerini.gr
North Macedonia Jumps Ten Spots in Democracy Index
North Macedonia's rise by ten places in the Economist's 2024 Democracy Index to 62nd, surpassing regional rivals, is attributed by President Pendarovski to restored normalcy, despite questions regarding the index's reliability.
- What are the immediate implications of North Macedonia's improved ranking in the Economist's Democracy Index?
- North Macedonia climbed ten spots in the Economist's Democracy Index, rising from 72nd in 2022-2023 to 62nd in 2024, surpassing other Western Balkan countries like Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. President Stevo Pendarovski attributes this to restoring normalcy.
- How does North Macedonia's improved ranking compare to its Western Balkan neighbors, and what are the potential political ramifications?
- This ranking shift reflects a positive assessment of North Macedonia's democratic progress, exceeding its regional peers. However, the index's accuracy remains debatable, leaving room for political exploitation by both government and opposition.
- What long-term challenges does North Macedonia face in sustaining its democratic progress, and how might this ranking impact its relations with the EU?
- The improved ranking could signal increased international recognition of North Macedonia's democratic reforms. Sustaining this progress will require ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, mitigating potential political manipulation of such indices.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's framing subtly favors certain narratives. The positive framing of the North Macedonia president's celebration of the democracy ranking might be seen as giving undue weight to a single data point without sufficient context or critical analysis. The description of the Valencia conference protests is brief, possibly downplaying their significance. The tone used to describe the EU MP's visit to Damascus may present his actions in a more positive light than warranted by the severity of the situation he is visiting.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but some phrasing could be more objective. For example, describing the EU MP's laughter as "blaring" is subjective and potentially loaded. The description of his visit to Damascus as having a "joker-like smile" is similarly subjective and editorializes the event. The description of the protests as merely "demonstrations" and "slogans" could minimize their potential impact or significance.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on specific events and individuals, potentially omitting broader context or alternative perspectives on the issues discussed. For example, the analysis of the North Macedonia democracy ranking omits discussion of potential flaws in the methodology or differing interpretations of the data. Similarly, the description of the Valencia conference omits perspectives from those protesting the location. The impact of the floods in Valencia is mentioned, but a deeper exploration of the political implications or alternative responses is absent. Finally, the section on the EU MP's visit to Damascus lacks the inclusion of counterpoints or alternative analyses of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents several situations with an implied eitheor framing. For instance, the discussion of the North Macedonia democracy ranking suggests a simple eitheor: the ranking is either a true reflection of reality or mere political exploitation. This ignores the complexity of measuring democracy and the possibility of nuanced interpretations of the data. The coverage of the Valencia conference implies a simple choice between holding it there, despite protests, or moving it, which disregards other logistical or political considerations.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't contain overt gender bias; however, a more in-depth analysis of gender representation in politics and in the referenced events would be beneficial for a complete assessment. The limited amount of named women in prominent positions may reflect a wider problem that's not directly addressed in the piece.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article mentions North Macedonia's improvement in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index, signifying progress towards more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. This aligns with SDG 16 which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.