Approximately 2 billion people lack regular access to clean drinking water, resulting in around 800,000 deaths annually due to waterborne diseases. Access to drinking water is a fundamental issue for human and economic development, highlighted by the U.N. in its 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. Past research indicates that democracies are generally more effective than other forms of government in delivering public goods due to accountability mechanisms such as elections, transparency, and civil liberties. However, a study led by an MIT professor reveals a more complex dynamic in nearly 100 developing economies in the 21st century.
While democracies are slightly ahead of non-democracies in providing basic water access, they have fallen short in ensuring safe drinking water. MIT political scientist Evan Lieberman states, "Among low- and middle-income countries, we found no significant difference between democracies and non-democracies in providing basic drinking water, but surprisingly, democratic countries are becoming less effective in extending access to safe drinking water."
The study suggests that democracies excel at delivering visible public goods, such as infrastructure, while the difference between safe and unsafe water is often not visible, leading to less responsiveness from public officials. Lieberman notes, "The invisibility of safe water makes it a less compelling public good for politicians."
To conduct the study, researchers analyzed drinking water data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, defining basic water availability and safe drinking water standards. The analysis of 96 low- and middle-income countries involved running 39,000 regressions. Overall, democratic governance is modestly associated with increases in basic water availability, yet the effects are not particularly robust. Between 2000 and 2024, 81 of the 90 countries with data made gains in safe drinking water access, but democratic countries have been less successful than their non-democratic counterparts in achieving universal access, with the gap widening over time.
Lieberman emphasizes that while the study does not pinpoint specific reasons for this trend, newer democracies often struggle with effective governance, which may affect outcomes. He suggests that visibility matters; past research shows democracies perform well in delivering visible public goods, especially in areas with limited information. Ensuring safe water is a more complex challenge that requires testing and prevention of pollution.
Lieberman concludes that there are important lessons for democracies, urging citizens and civil society to raise awareness of water safety issues and advocate for long-term interests. "Democratic government has intrinsic importance, and the question becomes how to improve its effectiveness in delivering essential outcomes like safe water."
Blogger's Review: The challenges faced by democracies in ensuring safe drinking water underscore the importance of public policy visibility. Enhancing public awareness of water safety and promoting transparent governance will be key to achieving sustainable development.