Based on comprehensive country reports and in collaboration with about 250 internationally recognized experts, the BTI 2018 for the eighth time gives a detailed picture of the impact of reform strategies on democracy under the rule of law, a market economy anchored in principles of social justice and governance. The BTI provides significant impetus and information for the work of foreign and development policy stakeholders, academia and media, as well as for local democrats and reformers. The present volume summarizes the most important global and regional developments between 2015 and 2017.