United States edging towards autocratic rule

Stepping Towards Authoritarianism? A Look into US's Transition under Trump

Slide in autocratic governance: Assessing the extent of U.S.'s shift toward authoritarian rule.

Current opinions are crystal clear: Beacon of democracy, defender of human rights? Not anymore. The US government under President Donald Trump is putting its own political system to the test, with decree floods, public defamations, and the push for political goals. But are we witnessing the birth of an autocracy?

For many researchers, the answer is yes. Trump's actions have interfered with the cornerstones of democracy: separation of powers, control of the executive, equality before the law, and freedom of speech. [More on these details can be found here.]

Recently, Steven Levitsky, a political scientist who coined the term "competitive autocracy" over 20 years ago, stated that the US has slipped into a form of authoritarianism.

The Slipping Scale

Researchers have been conducting a regular survey on the state of the political system in the US. After Trump's first 100 days, the country fell from a 67 to a 49 on the scale. This is the lowest value since the survey began in 2017.

The US scores lower than Mexico but higher than Hungary on a scale between a pure dictatorship and a perfect democracy. Competitive autocracies, such as those in Hungary, Turkey, or Venezuela, have elections and democratic institutions, but the incumbents misuse them to stay in power.

The Trump Effect

The resistance is mainly coming from the courts, with the White House deliberately putting judges under immense pressure. Some measures have already been stopped, turned out not to be what they initially seemed, or are still being debated in court.

Trump has mostly issued decrees or ordered measures through ministries and other agencies. These measures can potentially be reversed by any subsequent government without additional majorities.

The future is uncertain. Trump is openly trying to change the political system to make it easier for himself and future presidents to remain in power. This approach, which the founders of the United States sought to prevent when they wrote the Constitution, is a major concern for many.

Power Shift and Corruption

The unlimited corporate and billionaire campaign financing in the US has made Trump's enormous power and corruption possible. This shift wrought chaos and controversy even before, with voter suppression being a major issue.

The question is not only how autocratically the USA is governed, but also for how long. Future heads of state could follow Trump's lead, expand their power further, or preserve democratic norms. The coming months and years will show.

source: ntv.de

Donald Trump
USA

Enrichment Insights:

Immigration Policies: The aggressive immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has led to controversies, such as the use of the Enemy Alien Act, and has been challenged in federal courts.
Judicial and Executive Power Dynamics: The Trump administration has faced significant opposition from federal courts. Critics argue that the administration's actions undermine judicial independence and the rule of law, traits often associated with autocratic regimes.
Erosion of Democratic Norms: The administration's policies and rhetoric have been highly divisive, contributing to increased polarization within the US political landscape. Additionally, the expansion of executive authority and the challenge to legislative processes and judicial decisions are seen as a threat to democratic norms.
Media and Public Discourse: President Trump frequently criticized the media, labeling certain outlets as "fake news," which has been seen as an attempt to undermine the free press.
The European Union, with its commitment to democracy and human rights, may be watching the transition under President Trump in the US with concern, as many researchers believe that the actions of the current administration are eroding the cornerstones of democracy.
The controversial actions of President Trump, such as the aggressive immigration enforcement and criticism of the media, have been met with resistance from the courts, raising questions about the balance of power between the judicial and executive branches.
As the resistance to the Trump administration's policies continues, it is likely that the politics of the US will be a topic of interest in general news, crime and justice, and policy and legislation discussions around the world.
Whatsapp groups dedicated to discussing current events may soon see an increase in posts and messages related to the US, as the future of its political system and the implications of autocracy on war-and-conflicts become more pressing issues.
If the trends of autocracy and the erosion of democratic norms continue under President Trump's administration, it is likely that the US will slide further down the scale, joining the ranks of competitive autocracies seen in countries such as Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela.