This article examines the debate over whether the world is experiencing a period of democratic decline. While many studies suggest a decline in democracy, the authors argue that there is little empirical evidence of global democratic decline over the past decade. They highlight the difference between subjective and objective indicators of democracy. Subjective indicators rely on expert judgment, which can be biased, while objective indicators, such as electoral outcomes and executive constraints, show little evidence of decline. The authors suggest that perceived declines may be due to changes in coder bias rather than actual democratic backsliding. They also note that while some countries may be experiencing backsliding, the global trend is more stable. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate measurement of democracy and calls for more research on the mechanisms driving democratic backsliding. The authors conclude that while democratic backsliding is a significant issue, the evidence for a global decline is not strong. They encourage further research to better understand the causes and consequences of democratic backsliding.This article examines the debate over whether the world is experiencing a period of democratic decline. While many studies suggest a decline in democracy, the authors argue that there is little empirical evidence of global democratic decline over the past decade. They highlight the difference between subjective and objective indicators of democracy. Subjective indicators rely on expert judgment, which can be biased, while objective indicators, such as electoral outcomes and executive constraints, show little evidence of decline. The authors suggest that perceived declines may be due to changes in coder bias rather than actual democratic backsliding. They also note that while some countries may be experiencing backsliding, the global trend is more stable. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate measurement of democracy and calls for more research on the mechanisms driving democratic backsliding. The authors conclude that while democratic backsliding is a significant issue, the evidence for a global decline is not strong. They encourage further research to better understand the causes and consequences of democratic backsliding.