Democracy is in Danger!

Democracy is in danger around the world.

The annual Democracy Index tracks the health of the world's governments. The results for 2017 were depressing.

In 89 countries, democratic norms are worse than a year ago.

Just 4.5 percent of the world's residents live in functioning democracies, down from 8.9 percent in 2015.

That drop is primarily because of the United States.

In 2016, the Economist demoted the USA from a "full" to a "flawed" democracy, citing a "serious decline" in public trust.

In 2017, the United States retained the same miserable rank and score.

As the report's authors explain, President Trump’s presidency has only further polarized the country. Americans remain far apart on issues such as immigration and economic and environmental policy.

"The growing divisions between (and within) those who identify as Republicans and Democrats help to explain why the Trump administration can not govern, despite controlling both houses of Congress," they write.