1. International IDEA’s State of Democracy Assessment Methodology (SoD)

2. Introduction Background & Objectives Attributes The Framework & Questions The Planning Process Assessments Lessons

3. Background Developed in 2000 Based on the UK Democratic Audit methodology designed for the UK by Professors David Beetham & Stuart Weir

4. 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

5. 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.

7. 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

8. Planning Process  Clearly define purpose of assessment;  Define priorities for assessment-- (whole, in part, targeted, additional context specific issues?);  Define comparators (National? Regional? Int.?);

9. 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);

10. 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

11. Assessments 25 assessments since 2000 Two assessments Government led (Mongolia, The Netherlands) One Government supported: Latvia The rest conducted by Independent institutions

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

13. THANK YOU!! For More Information: www.idea.int/sod www.idea.int/sod