FIGURE 1.18 Photo Essay: Power and Politics The map and accompanying photo essay show two related trends in political power. Generally speaking, countries with fewer political freedoms and lower levels of democratization also suffer the most from violent conflict. Countries are colored on the map according to their score on a “democracy index” created by The Economist magazine, which uses a combination of statistical indicators to capture elements crucial to the process of democratization. These elements include the ability of a country to hold peaceful elections that are accepted as fair and legitimate, the ability of people to participate in elections and other democratic processes, the strength of political freedoms (such as a free media and the right to hold political gatherings and peaceful protests), and the ability of governments to enact the will of their citizens and be free of corruption. Also displayed on the map are major conflicts initiated or in progress since 1990 that have resulted in at least 10,000 casualties. Aspects of the connections between democratization and armed conflict are explored in the photo captions. 1.18a Courtesy Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images, 1.18b Courtesy Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images, 1.18c Courtesy Michael Bradley/Getty Images, 1.18d Courtesy Gwenn Dubourthoumieu/AFP/Getty Images