Political stability is a situation characterized by the preservation of an intact and smoothly functioning government orpolitical system, avoiding significant disruptions or changes over an extended duration. Political stability signifies a state of tranquility, organization, and sustained continuity within the political domain. It is marked by consistent institutions and policies, as well as a commitment to upholding therule of law.[1][2]
Societies with political stability experience a decreased probability of encountering major political upheavals,civil unrest, or sudden changes in leadership. Political stability is essential for a nation's development, economic growth, and social unity. It enables long-term planning, investment, and prosperity, as businesses andcitizens can rely on consistent governance and policies.
TheWorld Bank measures political stability within itsWorldwide Governance Indicators[3] developed by economistDaniel Kaufmann.[4] The indicator also includes measurement of the absence of violence or terrorism.
This aims to capture perceptionsof the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional orviolent means, includingpolitical violence orterrorism.[5] This combines metrics from surveys and expert assessments from the World Bank and other institutions, such asNGOs, to produce a score by country and year. It does not measure the instability democracies may face with frequent elections or changes of government.
A 2024 study examining Central Asia identified several factors that influence stability (using theWGI indicator). The research finds thatrule of law, personalist rule, media freedom, freedom of assembly, political polarization, andgross domestic product (GDP) growth had positive effects on political stability. On the other hand, government accountability, exclusions by social group, and civil society participation were associated with negative effects on stability.[6]
