<P> A 2014 report by comparative politics researcher Nils D. Steiner found "strong and consistent evidence of a substantial bias in the FH ratings" before 1988, with bias being reflected by the relationships between the US and the countries under investigation . He writes that after 1989 the findings weren't as strong strong, but still hinted at political bias . </P> <P> Sarah Sunn Bush was critical of Freedom House in 2017, writing that many critics found the original pre-1990 methodology lacking . While this improved after a team was hired in 1990, she says some criticism remains . As for why the Freedom House index is most often quoted in the United States, she notes that its definition of democracy is closely aligned with US foreign policy . US - allied countries tend to get better scores than in other reports . However, because the report is important to US lawmakers and politicians, weaker states seeking US aid or favor are forced to respond to the reports, giving the Freedom House significant influence in those places . Bush shows in her report that its ideology has long reflected that of the people who are most involved in US foreign policy, and that liberal democracy was the main form of democracy that was considered . The FITW index focuses primarily on individual freedoms, as US politicians do, but little on egalitarian concerns . The claim that American politics play a role is supported by the relatively low FITW scores given to Russia and other post-Soviet states since the end of the Cold War, as well as to Sandinistan - led Nicaragua, but relatively high scores to the El Salvador military junta . At the same time, Bush found that the House's archive showed that they never debated marking Israel as anything less than "free" despite calls from many sources in the region to do so . Odd about this was that Freedom House regularly discusses the situation of most other countries . </P> <P> Former US President Bill Clinton, giving a speech at a Freedom House breakfast, said: </P> <P> I'm honored to be here with all of you and to be here at Freedom House . For more than 50 years, Freedom House has been a voice for tolerance for human dignity . People all over the world are better off because of your work . And I'm very grateful that Freedom House has rallied this diverse and dynamic group . It's not every day that the Carnegie Endowment, the Progressive Policy Institute, The Heritage Foundation, and the American Foreign Policy Council share the same masthead . </P>

Which country is not listed as free according to the freedom in the world 2016 rankings quizlet