United States: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House (2024)

The president, who serves as both head of state and head of government, is elected for up to two four-year terms. Presidential elections are decided by an Electoral College, with electors apportioned to each state based on the size of its congressional representation. In most cases, all of the electors in a particular state cast their ballots for the candidate who won the statewide popular vote, regardless of the margin. Two states, Maine and Nebraska, have chosen to divide their electoral votes between the candidates based on their popular-vote performance in each congressional district. The Electoral College makes it possible for a candidate to win the presidency while losing the national popular vote, an outcome that took place in the presidential elections of 2000 and 2016.

In the 2020 election, Biden won 306 Electoral College votes, leaving Trump with 232, and Biden defeated Trump by more than seven million votes, or approximately 4.4 percentage points, in the national popular balloting. Turnout was the highest recorded in more than a century, with roughly two-thirds of the eligible population casting a ballot.

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled many states to increase access to early and mail-in voting, partly to help prevent dangerous crowding at polling sites. This led to a series of legal battles, with the Trump campaign and other Republican litigants generally arguing against the changes and claiming that they would open the door to fraud. The balloting itself unfolded with few significant disruptions, though existing obstacles to voting—such as strict voter-identification requirements and inadequate numbers of polling sites—remained a factor, with long lines exacerbated by both the high turnout and pandemic-related shortages of poll workers.

The federal government assisted states in their efforts to safeguard ballots and computer networks against foreign and other illegal interference, while social media companies, which had been criticized for failing to prevent foreign actors from using their platforms to fraudulently influence the political process in the past, made greater efforts to thwart disinformation campaigns. These measures were deemed successful in many respects: despite some reported attempts by foreign actors to hack voting infrastructure and spread disinformation on social media, there was little evidence that they had a meaningful impact.

Rejecting a vote-tabulation process that was lauded by observers as transparent and professional, Trump refused to concede defeat and demanded a halt to the count in states where the late tally favored Biden. In the weeks after the election, Trump continued to allege fraud and openly pressured election officials, particularly Republicans, in pivotal states to make decisions that would support his claims regardless of the facts and the law. During the counting and certification process, state election workers reported intimidation and death threats. A raft of lawsuits by the Trump campaign and its allies—alleging wide-ranging misconduct, challenging the legality of various electoral rules, and seeking to block states from certifying Biden’s victory—were almost universally dismissed by state and federal courts. Evidence of large-scale fraud was nonexistent, but the Trump camp’s disinformation, complemented by the reluctance of leading Republicans to explicitly acknowledge Biden as the president-elect, helped to convince many Trump supporters that voter fraud was widespread and Biden was not the rightful winner.

New revelations later emerged regarding last-ditch efforts to overturn the results, including machinations by the outgoing president and allied officials or lawyers to involve the Justice Department and other government agencies in supporting Trump’s fraud claims, a memorandum by a Trump lawyer arguing that then vice president Mike Pence had the authority to stop Congress from completing the Electoral College vote count, and related attempts by the Trump campaign and Republican Party activists to put forward illegitimate pro-Trump slates of electors in states that Biden won.

Trump administration officials and allies also encouraged resistance to Biden’s victory from voters and citizen groups, coordinating with a range of supporters to disseminate disinformation and promote “Stop the Steal” rallies. This activity peaked on January 6, 2021, when several thousand Trump supporters assembled near the White House for a “Save America” rally. Following incitement by Trump and other speakers, the crowd converged on the US Capitol as the counting of the Electoral College ballots proceeded. Upon encountering an inadequate deployment of police, the group turned violent, using both concealed and improvised weapons to break through barricades, assault police officers, and forcibly enter the Capitol, where scores of intruders searched for lawmakers, vandalized offices, and occupied the Senate chamber as members were evacuated. The group was dispersed after several hours, following the delayed arrival of the National Guard. In all, seven people died in connection with the attack, including a policeman who suffered strokes after clashing with the mob and a rioter who was shot by police near the House chamber. Nearly 140 police officers were injured, as were scores of civilians. By year’s end, approximately 700 people had been arrested on a range of charges, though no trials had been completed, and it remained unclear whether charges would eventually extend to Trump or his more prominent allies.

Among Republicans, a divide emerged in the weeks after the election between state officials involved in administering the balloting, who generally defended the fairness of the process and the accuracy of the results, and many members of Congress, who gave credence to Trump’s claims and cast doubt on Biden’s victory. When Congress reconvened to complete the Electoral College count on the night of January 6–7, just eight senators lodged objections to state results, but 139 of the 211 Republicans in the House of Representatives at the time supported baseless objections to the count in at least one state.

The events of January 6 prompted several institutional responses. The following week, the House voted to impeach Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats to approve the measure. The Senate trial concluded in February with Trump’s acquittal, as only 57 of the required 67 senators, including seven Republicans, voted to convict. In July, a House select committee was formed to investigate the January 6 attack; Democrats had initially sought to form an independent commission of outside experts, but most Senate Republicans voted to block that effort. The select committee, which only two Republican House members agreed to join, defined its mandate broadly, aiming to clarify both the events of January 6 and the wider efforts to overturn the election results. By year’s end, the committee had interviewed scores of witnesses and issued an array of subpoenas for documents and testimony by Trump administration officials and allies. Republican critics derided the investigation as a partisan smear campaign, and Trump instructed his allies to refuse cooperation on the basis of executive privilege, leading to court challenges that remained underway at year’s end.

United States: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report | Freedom House (2024)

FAQs

Where does the US rank in freedom? ›

Highest ranking in personal freedoms were Sweden (9.45) and the Netherlands (9.28). In 2020, United States has dropped to rank 17 according to The Human Freedom Index. The Freedom Index does not measure democracy, but it does measure freedom of speech and media, press killings, political imprisonment, etc.

What is USA Freedom in the World Report? ›

Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based non-governmental organization Freedom House that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world.

Who is the freest country in the world? ›

When looking at the data from the Human Freedom Index, Switzerland emerges as the freest country in the world with a score of 9.11. It is followed closely by New Zealand (9.01) and Denmark (8.98). These countries consistently rank highly in terms of personal, civil, and economic freedoms.

Who is behind Freedom House? ›

Freedom House was founded in October 1941, and Wendell Willkie and Eleanor Roosevelt served as its first honorary chairpersons. It describes itself as a "clear voice for democracy and freedom around the world".

What is the rank of USA in world? ›

United States (Ranked 19th) :: Legatum Prosperity Index 2023.

Is USA number 1 country? ›

The United States is the world's third-largest country by both land and total area. It shares land borders with Canada to its north and with Mexico to its south and has maritime borders with the Bahamas, Cuba, Russia, and other nations.

How much freedom does America have? ›

For example, the Freedom in the World index lists the United States in the highest category for human freedom in civil and political rights, with 83 out of 100 points as of 2021; the Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders, puts the U.S. in the highest category of countries with a "satisfactory ...

Does the United States stand for freedom? ›

America's founding principles, our form of government, and our spirit of liberty perfectly suit us to the task in every generation to secure freedom. We must do this wherever man's instinctive desire for freedom surfaces.

Do US citizens have freedom? ›

The five freedoms it protects: speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Together, these five guaranteed freedoms make the people of the United States of America the freest in the world.

What is the US ranked #1 in? ›

The U.S. economy is the world's largest in terms of gross domestic product, and also the most technologically powerful. The country's most significant exports are computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food, live animals and military equipment.

What's the best country to live in? ›

  • Sweden. #1 in Quality of Life. #5 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Denmark. #2 in Quality of Life. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Canada. #3 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Switzerland. #4 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Norway. #5 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Finland. #6 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Germany. #7 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Netherlands. #8 in Quality of Life.

What country has the best government? ›

  • Switzerland. #1 in Politically stable. #1 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Sweden. #2 in Politically stable. ...
  • Denmark. #3 in Politically stable. ...
  • Germany. #4 in Politically stable. ...
  • Belgium. #5 in Politically stable. ...
  • Australia. #6 in Politically stable. ...
  • United Kingdom. #7 in Politically stable. ...
  • Canada. #8 in Politically stable.

What does Freedom House Church believe? ›

In a culture that sees various methods of avenues to be connected to God, Freedom House Church believes that Jesus is the only way to access forgiveness and eternal life in God. We believe that every person is born into sin; believing in and accepting the grace of Jesus is the only way to gain forgiveness from sin.

How do you cite the Freedom House report? ›

Cite This Item
  1. Chicago citation style: Freedom House, U.S. Freedom House . United States, 2001. Web Archive. ...
  2. APA citation style: Freedom House, U. S. (2001) Freedom House . United States. ...
  3. MLA citation style: Freedom House, U.S. Freedom House . United States, 2001.

What are two types of democracy? ›

Different types of democracies
  • Direct democracy.
  • Representative democracy.
  • Constitutional democracy.
  • Monitory democracy.

Which country is no 1? ›

Switzerland is the best country in the world for 2022.

Is the US the best country to live in? ›

The US is still the land of opportunity and still ranks as one of the most desirable countries in the world to move to. The US offers great career opportunities, an unparalleled lifestyle and one of the highest standards of living in the world – all in a beautiful environment.

What rank is USA in best country to live? ›

Countries by HDI
#CountryHuman Development Index (2021)
22United States of America0.92
23Malta0.92
24Slovenia0.92
25Austria0.92
108 more rows

What country is the most powerful? ›

The United States remains the most powerful country in the world, followed by China and Russia. However, the balance of power may shift in the coming years as countries like India and Brazil continue to grow economically and assert themselves on the global stage.

Where does the US rank in education? ›

Download Table Data
CountryRank (2021)Rank (2020)
United States11
United Kingdom22
Germany34
Canada43
73 more rows

Who leads the world? ›

The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power.

Does the US have human rights? ›

The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago. Since then, a central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been the promotion of respect for human rights, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What rights do Americans have? ›

Every human being has the right to life, liberty and the security of his person. Right to life, liberty and personal security. Article II. All persons are equal before the law and have the rights and duties established in this Declaration, without distinction as to race, sex, language, creed or any other factor.

What rights do US citizens have? ›

The five basic rights include the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to a fair trial, the right to free and unperturbed media, the right to vote freely in public and open elections, and the right to worship religion in a free setting.

What makes us free? ›

In short, freedom is the ability to make decisions for ourselves. We're free to think and speak our minds, to choose our own path in life, and to associate with anyone we want. This allows us to be individual and create our own unique life.

What makes the United States special? ›

The USA has political and social systems in place that have ensured a wide range of freedoms for its citizens - these are rights, not gifts. It has a fluid class system. It is much easier in the USA to move from one social class to another than it is in most of the rest of the world.

Why is freedom not free? ›

"Freedom isn't free", "freedom is not free", "freedom's not free", or "freedom ain't free" is an American idiom. The expression is used to describe sacrifice during times of crisis, being used widely in the United States to express gratitude to the military for defending freedom. It may be used as a rhetorical device.

What are the 5 basic human rights? ›

Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

How are human rights protected in the US? ›

Human rights are legislatively protected in the United States at the Federal level by the Constitution and other federal legislation.

Which country is best to live in future? ›

The world's best country to live in is Sweden, as it ranked highest on the world report Quality of Life Index that measured attributes ranging from economic stability and progressivism to innovation and geographical attractions.

Is the US number 1 in education? ›

The U.S. ranks near the bottom in a survey of students' math skills in 30 industrialized countries and many Americans are in denial. The same survey showed that one-third believed their own schools were excellent, but only one-sixth believed the same of other schools.

Which country is best to live and work? ›

  • Australia. One of the best countries in the world for work exchanges, Australia has been ranking consistently as a country that offers an excellent quality of life and work environment. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • United States. ...
  • South Korea. ...
  • Denmark.
Feb 20, 2023

What country are Americans moving to? ›

40% opt for the Western hemisphere — Canada, Central and South America. 26% move to Europe. 14% head to East Asia and the Pacific — think Australia and New Zealand as well as China and Japan. 14% head to the Middle East.

What's the cheapest country to live in? ›

Cheapest Countries to Live In
  • Vietnam.
  • South Africa.
  • Ecuador.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Malaysia.
  • Mexico.
  • Indonesia.
  • Bulgaria.

Is USA a good place to live? ›

Amazing natural beauty, a strong economy, and friendly people are some of the biggest advantages of living in the USA. I believe these factors make up for the downsides, such as the corporate culture and expensive healthcare system. Overall, the USA deserves the reputation as one of the greatest countries in the world.

What government has the best military? ›

1. United States Of America. US Military has the biggest defence budget in the world. They are known for their most powerful Air Force on the planet, named as United States Air Force (USAF).

What country has the richest government? ›

The GDP per capita is calculated by dividing a country's GDP by its population. Thus, the richest countries in the world are those with the highest GDP per capita. Currently, the richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita is Luxembourg, with a GDP per capita of $135,700.

Which part of US government is most powerful? ›

Executive branch

The executive branch's key roles include: President - The president is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander in Chief of the United States armed forces. Vice president - The vice president supports the president.

What country ranks 1st in freedom? ›

2022 rankings

In the 2022 index, New Zealand is ranked most free overall, while North Korea is last. Hong Kong was ranked most free in economic liberty, while Norway was ranked most free in the social liberty category.

What country is #1 in economic freedom? ›

Switzerland ranks first with a human freedom index of 9.11, followed closely by New Zealand at 9.01 and Denmark at 8.98. These countries consistently rank high in terms of personal and economic freedoms, demonstrating a strong commitment to individual rights and free market principles.

Where does the US rank in power? ›

Download Table Data
Power RankCountryGDP
1United States$21.40 Tn
2China$14.30 Tn
3Russia$1.69 Tn
4Germany$3.86 Tn
73 more rows

What is the top 10 strongest country? ›

Top 10 Powerful Countries in the World by Military
  1. United States Of America. US Military has the biggest defence budget in the world. ...
  2. Russia. Russia is the second most powerful military country. ...
  3. China. ...
  4. India. ...
  5. Japan. ...
  6. South Korea.
Apr 5, 2023

Which 3 countries have the most economic freedom? ›

Measuring Economic Freedom
RankCountry2023 Score
#1🇸🇬 Singapore83.9
#2🇨🇭 Switzerland83.8
#3🇮🇪 Ireland82.0
#4🇹🇼 Taiwan80.7
6 more rows
5 days ago

Where does the US economy rank in economic freedom? ›

The U.S. maintained its global ranking of 25th freest in the 2023 Index after falling from 20th to 25th in 2022.

Which country is most financially stable? ›

2022 Top Index of Economic Freedom
RankCountryScore
1Hong Kong90.2
2Singapore89.4
3New Zealand84.4
4Switzerland81.9
114 more rows

What is the US rank in quality of life? ›

Quality of Life Index by Country 2023
RankCountryQuality of Life Index
17United States172.7
18Estonia171.9
19Slovenia169.3
20Qatar167.5
80 more rows

Who is more powerful Russia or USA? ›

In short, Russia is ranked 2nd out of 140 in military strength while the US is ranked 1st. As per the army population, Russia has 142,320,790 soldiers while The US has 334,998,398 soldiers. The available manpower is 69,737,187 with Russia and 147,399,295 with the United States.

Which country is powerful in America? ›

The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power.

Which country is powerful than us? ›

Overall, the most powerful countries in the world are those with a combination of economic, military, and cultural power. The United States remains the most powerful country in the world, followed by China and Russia.

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