People in Washington, D.C. Editorial credit:  Eliyahu Yosef Parypa / Shutterstock.com

United States

The United States is a federal republic whose people benefit from a vibrant political system, a strong rule-of-law tradition, robust freedoms of expression and religious belief, and a wide array of other civil liberties. However, in recent years its democratic institutions have suffered erosion, as reflected in partisan pressure on the electoral process, bias and dysfunction in the criminal justice system, harmful policies on immigration and asylum seekers, and growing disparities in wealth, economic opportunity, and political influence.

Iranian people in Izmir protest the death of Mahsa Amini by the morality police in Iran.

Freedom in the World — United States Country Report

United States is rated Free in Freedom in the World 2023 , Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.

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Freedom on the Net— United States Country Report

United States is rated Free in Freedom on the Net , Freedom House's comprehensive study of internet freedom around the globe.

united states capitol west side

The Democracy Project

Even as Americans remain committed to the ideals of democracy, a majority see democracy in the United States as weak and getting weaker, according to a national survey jointly commissioned by Freedom House, the George W. Bush Institute, and the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement.

News & Perspectives on the United States