The 2002 Human Development Report explores the global expansion of democratic regimes from 1985 to 2000, marking a historic moment where the majority of countries achieved democracy. It highlights the role of human agency in combating exploitation and emphasizes that political freedom should not be denied to the poor. The report uses symbolic imagery—hands representing human aspiration and struggles, and birds symbolizing freedom and tenacity—to underscore the importance of deepening democracy and ensuring that freedoms remain central to human development.