freedom is a topic of enduring importance. Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization that promotes liberty worldwide, helps frame our interpretation. It stipulates, "Freedom is possible only in democratic political systems in which the governments are accountable to their own people; the rule of law prevails; and freedom of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of minorities and women, are guaranteed." Since 1972, Freedom House has annually assessed the state of political freedom around the world, applying measures derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It identifies three types of systems: