The #AcademicFreedom Index (AFI) is not just part of the V-Dem dataset; it is also a research project which produces a report on the state of academic freedom in the world every year. You can find some highlights from this year’s AFI update in the video (or in the thread below). 🧵1(11) #Polisky

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝! Postdoc Position at V-Dem Institute and GLD ❗ Applications still open for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Cross-National Survey Methodology in Political Science. 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 15 here: tiny.cc/au61101 #PoliSky #PolDataSky #PoliSciSky #PoliticalScienceJobs #AcademicSky

The recording of our ‘State of Democracy’ seminar with @socentral.no l is now live! 🎥 @vdeminstitute.bsky.social's Marina Nord breaks down the #DemocracyReport2026, showing how global freedom has regressed to 1978 levels and why 74% of the world now lives in autocracy.

💡What is a V-Dem Country Coding Unit? A V-Dem “country” is a political unit enjoying at least some degree of functional and/or formal sovereignty. Watch the video or read in the thread to find out more. 👇 🧵1(8) #PoliSky #PoliSciSky #PolDataSky #PoliticalScienceData #VDemMethodology #VDemDataset

🔜 Deadline April 1st! Just one week left to apply for the joint #postdoc position at Governance and Local Development Institute and V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg. Application and more details here: web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/103... #Polisky #PolDataSky #PoliSciSky #Academia #Research

#DemocracyReport2026 When a country starts to democratize, what aspects of democracy improve? And conversely, when a country becomes less democratic, which aspects decline? The figures show the top 20 indicators that improve in the 18 democratizers, and decline in the 44 autocratizers. 1(4) #Polisky

💡 What does V-Dem Data not cover? Watch the V-Dem Methodology video or read in the thread to find out! 👇 🧵1(9) #Polisky #PolDataSky #PoliSciSky #Academia #VDemMethodology #VDemDataset @vdemamlat.bsky.social

#DR26 What were the aspects of Democracy that declined in the most countries over the last decade? The figure displays the top 20 indicators that register decline in the largest number of countries between 2015 and 2025. 🧵 1(6) #Polisky #PoliSciSky #DemocracyAutocracy #SocialScience #PolDataSky

#DR26 The U.S. democracy is currently in a much faster deterioration process than any other democracy in modern times. Within only one year, the USA’s score on the V-Dem Liberal Democracy index (LDI) has declined by 24 %, from 0.75 in 2024 to 0.57 in 2025. 🧵1(4) #Polisky #PoliSciSky #PolDataSky

This post raises a several important questions about the @vdeminstitute.bsky.social indices that I'll try to discuss broadly, then specifically in the case of Mongolia. Important caveat: I am not a Mongolia expert, so can't speak substantively about the case; I can discuss the V-Dem methodology.

#DR2026: In 2025, a total of 62 countries are in episodes of regime transformation – autocratizing (red) or democratizing (blue), according to the Episodes of Regime Transformation (ERT) methodology. The color intensity shows the magnitude of the change. Gray = no significant change. 🧵1(3) #Polisky

V-Dem Dataset v16 is out! The dataset includes several hundred indicators along with five indices that measure a country’s overall degree of democracy, according to different definitions of democracy. V-Dem Steering Committee comments on the new data and U.S. ratings: v-dem.net/release-stat... 1(2)

📢 Out Now! V-Dem Dataset v16 & the V-Dem Institute Democracy Report 2026 💾 The V-Dem Dataset: v-dem.net/data/the-v-d... 📰 The Report "Unraveling The Democratic Era?”: v-dem.net/publications... 📈 Explore the new data with the V-Dem Graphing tools: v-dem.net/graphing/gra... #PoliSky #PoliSciSky 1/3

💡 When does a Country decline on the V-Dem Democracy Indices? Watch the video or read in the thread to find out! #PoliSky #PoliSciSky #PolDataSky #Acedemia #PoliticalScience #Democracy #DemocraticBacksliding #VDemMethodology #VDemDataset @vdemamlat.bsky.social

💡What does V-Dem mean by 'Liberal Democracy'? The liberal principle of democracy emphasizes the importance of protecting individual and minority rights against a potential “tyranny of the majority” and state repression. Watch the video or see the thread below to find out more 👇 #Polisky #PolDataSky

📢 V-Dem dataset version 16, updated with data for 2025, and the V-Dem Institute Democracy Report 2026 will be released on March 17! Make sure to follow us so you don't miss the announcement. @vdemamlat.bsky.social #Polisky #PoliSciSky #PoliticalScience #PoliticalScienceData #AcademicSky #VDemData

#GotW Media Self-Censorship in Austria 📉 Media self-censorship often goes hand in hand with government censorship efforts. But this week’s graph shows that media self-censorship can rise significantly without an increase in government censorship. Full text w. references: v-dem.net/weekly_graph... 🧵

📢 We are hiring: Combined Postdoc position at V-Dem Institute and GLD! Applications are open for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Cross-National Survey Methodology in Political Science. Application: web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/103... 🧵1(4) #Polisky #PoliSciSky #PoliticalScienceJobs #PostDoc

💡 How does V-Dem assess the levels of democracy in a country? Watch the video or read the thread below to find out! 🧵1(7) #VDemMethodology #VDemData #Polisky #PolDataSky #SocialScienceData #PoliSciSky @vdemamlat.bsky.social @digitalsocietyproject.org

#GraphOfTheWeek Use of Social Media for Organizing Action 📈 Social media changes how citizens interact among themselves & with their political representatives. This week’s graph shows how often average citizens use social media to organize offline political action (2024). v-dem.net/weekly_graph... 🧵

Join us and the other DEMSCORE partners in Gothenburg in June for the 4th DEMSCORE Conference!

📌Are you a #student interested in #democracy research? Apply now for an #internship position at V-Dem Institute during fall 2026. More information on the V-Dem website: v-dem.net/about/intern... 📆 Application deadline April 12 #SocialScience #ScienceCommunication #Polisky #PoliSciSky

📣 We welcome Steven Wilson as Associate Professor at the Dept. of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg and new V-Dem Institute Director. We asked Steven a few questions about his new role, his priorities for V-Dem, and his research interest: v-dem.net/news/new-v-d... More below 👇 🧵 1(3)

Altruistic motivations aside, looking at purely self-interested motives of donors, is there still a rationale for supporting democracy abroad? YES, says a new #PolicyBrief from V-Dem Institute: Democracy Aid: What’s in it for Donor Countries? v-dem.net/media/public... 👇 1(3) #Polisky #SocialScience

We proudly announce the launch of a new V-Dem Regional Center in #Caucasus! 🎉 The V-Dem Regional Center Caucasus, launched this month, is located in Tiblisi, Georgia, and covers the countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. #Polisky #PolDataSky #PoliSciSky #Georgia #Armenia #Azerbaijan 🧵1(3)

Clear Theme to Most Viewed V-Dem Working Papers in 2025 Most read? There has been a high interest in understanding regime change and how to turn around an autocratization process during the year. 🤔 Top 5 most downloaded papers in 2025 in 🧵and video. All papers available at v-dem.net/wp.html 1(6)

#GotW Hate Speech in the 21st Century 📈 Use of hate speech as a political party technique is increasing. This week’s graph shows how often major political parties use hate speech as part of their rhetoric on a scale from 0 (extremely often) to 4 (never/almost never). v-dem.net/weekly_graph... 🧵1/9

#GotW Today the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place, with the award given to María Corina Machado for her efforts to advance democracy in #Venezuela. This week’s graph takes a look at the state of democracy in the country. Full text with references: v-dem.net/weekly_graph... #NobelPeacePrize 1(6)

How can we protect #Democracy? Join us tomorrow Tuesday December 9 for a panel on how the global trend of autocratization has changed international democracy promotion efforts. Read more about the participants and the panel: invitepeople.com/public/event... #MRDagarna #InternationalHumanRightsDay

The December edition of the V-Dem Institute Newsletter is out! 📬 To find out about new publications, research and more, you can access the newsletter here: mailchi.mp/v-dem/newsle... Not subscribed yet? Here is the subscription link: v-dem.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... #Polisky #PolDataSky

#GotW Cybersecurity and Elections 📉 Cybersecurity has become essential to protect democracy. This week’s graph shows governments’ cybersecurity capacity, i.e. if they have sufficient skills and resources to mitigate harm from cybersecurity threats, across the globe. v-dem.net/weekly_graph... 1(6)

Save the Date: #DEMSCORE Conference 2026 The fourth DEMSCORE Conference will take place in Gothenburg on June 8–9, 2026. More information: www.demscore.se/events/demsc... @ucdp.bsky.social @qoginstitute.bsky.social @vdeminstitute.bsky.social @viewsforecasting.org ‬‬ @repdem-org.bsky.social 1(3)

Join V-Dem Institute at the Swedish Forum for Human Rights 2025 for the panel “Democratic resilience in times of autocratization”. Full program: invitepeople.com/public/event... 📆 December 9, 10:00-11:00 🌍 Stockholm, Kistamässan 1/3 @silindberg.bsky.social @marinanord.bsky.social #Polisky

🎓New Research Projects on Democratic Resilience! Today we congratulate the V-Dem researchers involved in two new research projects that will tackle the issue of democratic resilience, in different ways. Read more : v-dem.net/news/new-res... #Polisky #PoliticalScience #DemocraticResilience 🧵1(4)

Customize your own dataset by combining V-Dem variables with other datasets in Demscore!

#GraphOfTheWeek Judicial Reforms in #ElSalvador and #Mexico Authoritarian leaders often alter the judicial system to expand their powers. This week’s graph highlights the impacts of recent judicial reforms in El Salvador & Mexico. v-dem.net/weekly_graph... or in 🧵1(8) @vdemamlat.bsky.social #Polisky

⏱️Don’t forget to apply! Internship application deadline for spring 2026 is November 16. Read more on the V-Dem website: v-dem.net/about/intern... We especially welcome applicants with an interest in quantitative research and data collection, or social science research communication (or both).

📢 New Thematic dataset: 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 The #Demscore v6 update comes with a new thematic dataset on Laws and Liberties. Available for free at the Demscore website: www.demscore.se/data/themati... More info in 🧵1(3) #SocialScienceData #Polisky #PolDataSky #PoliSciSky #PoliticalScienceData

📢 Out Now! DEMSCORE v6 Demscore v6 update includes the new @ucdp.bsky.social annual release, updated @repdem-org.bsky.social Basic datasets, @viewsforecasting.org monthly updates until August 2025, + a new thematic dataset on Laws and Liberties. #SocialScienceData #PoliticalScienceData #Polisky 1(5)

Coming very soon! DEMSCORE v6 offers new updates from UCDP, REPDEM, and VIEWS, and a new thematic dataset. @ucdp.bsky.social @qoginstitute.bsky.social @vdeminstitute.bsky.social @viewsforecasting.org ‬‬ @repdem-org.bsky.social #polisky #PoliSkyData #PoliSciSky #SocialScience #SocialScienceData 1(3)

📌Are you a #student interested in #democracy research? Apply now for an #internship at V-Dem Institute during spring 2026. Read more and apply: v-dem.net/about/intern... 📆 Deadline November 16 #Polisky #PoliSciSky #ResearchCommunication #SocialScienceData #Disinformation/Democracy

📉 #GotW From Hope to Backsliding in #Tunisia This week’s graph shows the democratic reversal in Tunisia 2010 to 2024. The 4 indices evaluate democracy on a scale from 0 (less democratic) to 1 (more democratic). Full text with references: v-dem.net/weekly_graph... #Polisky #PoliticalScienceData 🧵1(5)

#GotW Electoral democracy in #TheGambia and #Zambia The Gambia and Zambia have both recently improved in the Electoral Democracy Index (EDI). This week’s graph shows their performance between 1990 and 2024. Full text w references @ v-dem.net/weekly_graph... 🧵1(7) #PoliSky #PolDataSky #PoliSkyData

#GotW From the Streets to Silence: The collapse of democratic mobilization in #Nicaragua This week’s graph shows the mobilization for autocracy and democracy in Nicaragua. 🧵1(6) Full text with references: v-dem.net/weekly_graph... #PoliSky #PoliSciSky #DemocracyAndAutocracy #PoliticalScienceData

The global retrenchment of academic freedom, as estimated by V-Dem and FAU: 2008-2015: mostly at the lower part of the scale 2015-2024: the upper part of the scale moves as well More by FAU at: academic-freedom-index.net @vdeminstitute.bsky.social

#InternationalDayOfDemocracy Today, we celebrate the International Day of Democracy. We take a look at the development of democracy in the world over the past 80 years, by visualizing the V-Dem Liberal Democracy Index (LDI), using the heat map graphing tool. #PolDataSky #PoliSky #Democracy 🧵1(5)

🏛️ Today is the last day of #ecprgc25 in Thessaloniki, and your last chance to come by the #DEMSCORE booth in the Exhibition area of the Law Building. If you do, you could f ex find out more about a useful DEMSCORE #DataHack👇 #Polisky #PoliSciSky #SocialScience #CompSocialScience @ecpr.bsky.social

🎞️In this interview with #CartaCapital, V-Dem Institute Director @silindberg.bsky.social talks about the state of democracy in Latin America (+more): youtu.be/u-3emkqHgYk?... Interview in English w Portuguese subtitles #PoliSciSky #Polisky #PoliticalScience #Democracy #Autocratization #LatinAmerica

❓Are expert’s pessimism about global democracy affecting their coding of democracy locally, and thus greatly inflating estimates of global democratic backsliding? Find out in the new V-Dem Working Paper: v-dem.net/media/public... ❗Spoiler alert for 🎞️ and 🧵 1(6) #PoliSciSky #Polisky #ExpertCoding

📢 Out now: Democracy Report 2025 in Portuguese, with 17 new articles! Read more and download "Relatório da Democracia 2025: 25 Anos de Autocratização – Foi a Democracia Derrotada?" at v-dem.net/news/out-now... @cei-iscte.bsky.social @vdemamlat.bsky.social #PoliSciSky #Polisky #AcademicSky #Science