<P> An analysis by the U.S. Government funded Freedom House shows that there was not a single liberal democracy with universal suffrage in the world in 1900, but that in 2000, 120 of the world's 192 nations, or 62% were such democracies . They count 25 nations, or 13% of the world's nations with "restricted democratic practices" in 1900 and 16, or 8% of the world's nations today . They counted 19 constitutional monarchies in 1900, forming 14% of the world's nations, where a constitution limited the powers of the monarch, and with some power devolved to elected legislatures, and none in the present . Other nations had, and have, various forms of non-democratic rule . While the specifics may be open to debate (for example, New Zealand actually enacted universal suffrage in 1893, but is discounted due to a lack of complete sovereignty and certain restrictions on the Māori vote), the numbers are indicative of the expansion of democracy during the twentieth century . </P> <P> In the 21st century, democracy movements have been seen across the world . In the Arab world, an unprecedented series of major protests occurred with citizens of Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Syria and other countries across the MENA region demanding democratic rights . This revolutionary wave was given the term Tunisia Effect, as well as the Arab Spring . The Palestinian Authority also took action to address democratic rights . </P> <P> In Iran, following a highly disputed presidential vote fraught with corruption, Iranian citizens held a major series of protests calling for change and democratic rights (see: the 2009--2010 Iranian election protests and the 2011 Iranian protests). The 2003 US - led invasion of Iraq led to a toppling of Saddam Hussein and a new constitution with free and open elections . </P> <P> In Asia, the country of Burma (also known as Myanmar) had long been ruled by a military junta; however, in 2011, the government changed to allow certain voting rights and released democracy - leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest . However, Burma still will not allow Suu Kyi to run for election and still has major human rights problems and not full democratic rights . In Bhutan, in December 2005, the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that the first general elections would be held in 2008, and that he would abdicate the throne in favor of his eldest son . Bhutan is currently undergoing further changes to allow for a constitutional monarchy . In the Maldives, protests and political pressure led to a government reform which allowed democratic rights and presidential elections in 2008 . </P>

Who used the word democracy for the first time