<P> World War II was ultimately a victory for democracy in Western Europe, where representative governments were established that reflected the general will of their citizens . However, many countries of Central and Eastern Europe became undemocratic Soviet satellite states . In Southern Europe, a number of right - wing authoritarian dictatorships (most notably in Spain and Portugal) continued to exist . </P> <Ul> <Li> MaxRange data has defined and categorised the level of democracy and political regime type to all states and months from 1789 to this day and updating . MaxRange shows a dramatic expansion of democracy, especially from 1989 . The third wave of democracy has been successful and covered major parts of previous autocratic areas . MaxRange can show detailed correlations between success of democracy and many relevant variables, such as previous democratic history, the transitional phase and selection of institutional political system . Even though the number of democratic states has continued to grow since 2006, the share of weaker electoral democracies has grown significantly . This is the strongest causal factor behind fragile democracies . </Li> </Ul> <Li> MaxRange data has defined and categorised the level of democracy and political regime type to all states and months from 1789 to this day and updating . MaxRange shows a dramatic expansion of democracy, especially from 1989 . The third wave of democracy has been successful and covered major parts of previous autocratic areas . MaxRange can show detailed correlations between success of democracy and many relevant variables, such as previous democratic history, the transitional phase and selection of institutional political system . Even though the number of democratic states has continued to grow since 2006, the share of weaker electoral democracies has grown significantly . This is the strongest causal factor behind fragile democracies . </Li> <P> Japan had moved towards democracy during the Taishō period during the 1920s, but it was under effective military rule in the years before and during World War II . The country adopted a new constitution during the postwar Allied occupation, with initial elections in 1946 . </P>

Where did the ideas of american democracy come from