Is the United States edging closer to autocratic rule - and to what extent?
Take a seat, 'cause this ain't pretty. With Trump as POTUS, the US has gone from a shining beacon of democracy to a dumpster fire rolling downhill with no brakes. From meddling in the democratic process to undermining equal rights, the US is teetering on the edge of sheer autocracy. But how far are we gonna slide? Let's dive in.
The US is in deep shit. From the moment ol' Donnie Dumb-dumb took office, democracy has been taking one hard punch after another. It all boils down to one simple question: Is the US already an autocracy? Well, opinion's divided, but research shows the ol' red, white and blue is inching closer by the day.
You Know What They Call This? Sabotage
Trump's been wielding his chisel like a pro on the cornerstones of the democratic system. He's messed with separation of powers, busted up the checks on the executive, slammed equality under the law, bashed the freedom of speech, and gone after the free press. You can read more on each mess here.
In the agencies, the government's abolished internal anti-corruption controls and squashed active equal opportunity measures, all in the name of supposed white racism. Meanwhile, schools and universities are getting the same treatment. The only limit Trump and his crew can't cross? The Supreme Court ol' boys club, which is already chock-full of conservatives. And Trump's got his eyes on maximum power in the executive.
Between Mexico and Hungary - With a Stop in Dictatorshipville
Experts and scientists have been slamming all this criticism hard, in a regular survey on the state of the political system in the US. On a scale of 0 for pure dictatorship to 100 for a perfect democracy, the country has tumbled from 67 to 49 after Trump's first 100 days. That's the lowest value since the survey started in 2017. Even after Trump's first term and the Capitol riot in early 2021, the value didn't dip below 60.
The researchers use 30 indicators for their assessment. They look at whether the government interferes in press affairs, silences political opponents, or if Congress and justice can set any limits on government power. By these standards, the US is closer to a dictatorship than our friendly neighbors to the south, Mexico, but still further from Europe's asshat du jour, Hungary.
There's a lot of different tones between a perfect democracy and a pure dictatorship. Many of 'em belong to a competitive autocracy, where elections still happen, but the leaders misuse them to stay in power. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
"That's a Coup"
In early February, just a couple weeks into his term, historian Timothy Snyder was already calling bullshit: "Of course it's a coup." He was talking about billionaire Elon Musk and his tech bro minions, who'd steamrolled their way into government agencies and sensitive databases. Tim chatted about the digital age, the power grab, and how Musk and his crew had no right to it. Musk had neither been elected nor had any agency given him the authority he craved.
Some of the new administration's measures have been halted or restricted by courts. But even the changes already made during Trump's rule are likely to stay put. It's like the old boys giving the tech bros a temporary pass to wreck the house, with no clue what went down in the meantime, or who's stored what up their sleeves.
"Defend Yourself, Pay Up"
Resistance is coming mostly from the courts. But the White House is stepping up the pressure, targeting individual judges to make their lives hell. Some decrees have been stopped, some haven't worked as planned, and some are still being battled out in court. Lawyers are expensive, and in the US, the losing side doesn't always pay those court costs. That means a frivolous lawsuit threat can break the resistance.
Still Fluxin' Like Jell-O
So far, Trump's been signing a paltry number of laws in his first months in office. That's because the Republicans lack the majorities in Congress to pass 'em. The Senate's known as a legislative graveyard, where you need 60% of the votes for a simple law. It's a tough world where Donald Trump reigns supreme, y'all.
Bleak Future Ahead?
Trump's actively scaring the bejesus out of his political opponents and trying to change the political system to give himself and future Republicans an unfair advantage. If resistance doesn't step up, Trump's crew will keep pushing the boundaries, and keep reaching for more power.
Power Hungry Du Jour
The US wasn't exactly a flawless democratic system before all this chaos. But modern-day corrupt politicians and billionaire campaign financing have given Trump his superpowers. The legal spectrum has shifted under Trump's rule, with the President facing impeachment in his first term over his malicious dealings with Ukraine and now dealing with the consequences of his bulldozer approach to politics.
The US's future remains uncertain, with Muppet King Donald Trump still in the driver's seat. Will the country crash further down the road towards full-blown autocracy? Or will the next driver focus on rebuilding democracy instead of dismantling it? Stay tuned, folks, this rollercoaster ain't over yet.
Source: ntv.de
- Donald Trump
- USA
Overall:
The United States has been sliding towards a competitive authoritarian system during President Trump's administration, with a concentration of executive power and erosion of democratic norms. Factors contributing to this shift include the expansion of executive power, erosion of institutional checks, political polarization, copycat effects globally, and the rise of right-wing populism. Indicators of autocratization include institutional erosion, international influence, and rhetorical and policy challenges.
Factors Contributing to the Shift
- Executive Power Expansion: Trump has adopted the "unitary executive power theory," concentrating power in the executive branch. This theory is sometimes supported by the Supreme Court.
- Erosion of Institutional Checks: The judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has shown mixed sentiments regarding executive power. Meanwhile, lower courts have provided the main line of defense against many of Trump's moves through numerous lawsuits.
- Political Polarization and Chaos: Trump's leadership style, marked by controversy and polarization, creates an environment of political turmoil. This chaos can undermine the functioning and stability of democratic institutions.
- Copycat Effects Globally: Trump's policies and rhetoric, especially his attacks on the media and electoral legitimacy, have inspired similar actions in other countries. This global influence can undermine democracy internationally, contributing to a broader trend of autocratization.
- Rise of Right-Wing Populism: The political success of Trump is part of a larger global trend of rising right-wing populism, which often challenges traditional democratic norms. This broader context amplifies the challenges facing democratic systems in the US and worldwide.
Indicators of Autocratization
- Institutional Erosion: The weakening of checks on executive power, and the erosion of faith in democratic institutions, are key indicators of movement towards authoritarianism.
- International Influence: The US example can influence political strategies in other nations, potentially leading to a global increase in autocratic tendencies.
- Rhetorical and Policy Challenges: Arguing against democratic norms (deep state, fake news), attacking the media, and questioning electoral legitimacy contribute to an environment conducive to authoritarianism.
Overall, the combination of these factors indicates a significant shift towards competitive authoritarianism under Trump's presidency, with potential long-term implications for US democracy and global democratic trends.
- The European Union is likely to keep a close eye on the ongoing shift in the United States towards a competitive authoritarian system, as observed during Trump's administration.
- Researchers, when assessing the political system in the US, have found that the country has inched closer to autocracy, with indicators such as interference in press affairs, suppression of political opposition, and an erosion of the separation of powers.
- In policy-and-legislation and crime-and-justice discussions, the autocratic tendencies in the US under President Trump's administration may have far-reaching implications for the balance of powers and the protection of democratic norms.
- General news coverage and political debates on war-and-conflicts might highlight the dangers of autocratic governance and the importance of maintaining checks-and-balances in democratic systems like the US.
- Autocracy-related views and policies could potentially impact the dynamics and strategies in other regions, such as Europe, as leaders might seek to emulate or counter the autocratic trends observed in the US.
