America's Slippery Slope: Sliding Towards Competitive Authoritarianism - How Far, How Fast?
Sliding toward authoritarian rule – examining the extent of U.S. transition.
Whether you listen or read, one message echoes loudly: the U.S. is no longer the beacon of democracy, the leader of the free world, or the defender of human rights. Instead, it's a nation whose government, under President Donald Trump, is relentlessly sabotaging and undermining its democratic foundation. With chisels strategically set to various democratic pillars, Trump and his allies pose a grave threat to the nation's foundational principles.
So, are we already living in an autocracy? Many researchers tend to agree: the U.S. is sliding in that direction. But to better understand this transition, let's dive into the workings of competitive authoritarianism.
Politics, Posturing, and Power
The Trump administration has lashed out at the very heart of democracy: the separation of powers, equal justice, free speech, and a free press. In government agencies, internal anti-corruption controls have been ended, and equal opportunity measures canceled under the guise of fighting 'alleged' racism. The president's goals? To consolidate power in the executive branch while undermining the role of Congress and the judiciary.
The Undefined Gray Area
Using a scale of 0 (pure dictatorship) to 100 (perfect democracy), the U.S. has fallen dramatically after Trump's first 100 days. Of the 30 indicators used in the assessment, factors like government interference in the press, punishment of political opponents, and inadequate congressional and judicial oversight contribute to the nation's slide towards authoritarianism.
The U.S. now finds itself closer to a dictatorship than its neighbor Mexico, but still somewhat distant from the likes of Hungary or Venezuela, countries commonly referred to as competitive autocracies. In these regimes, elections continue to take place, and democratic institutions remain intact, but are manipulated by the ruling party to stay in power.
A Coup in the Making
Back in February 2017, just over two weeks into Trump's presidency, historian Timothy Snyder analyzed the president's tactics and branded them a "coup." Snyder characterized Trump's actions as power grabs by milking the digital, billionaire-led tech sector with no democratic mandate, using projects like Elon Musk's "Ministry of Government Efficiency" to bypass established bureaucratic systems.
While some measures have been challenged in court or restricted, the damage has already been done, and many changes will likely remain in place throughout Trump's term. The whirlwind of policy changes has raised concerns about sensitive data and its potential misuse.
Prolonged Unrest or a Quick Recovery?
Resistance is mounted primarily in the courts, but the White House is putting immense pressure on individual judges, blurring the lines between law and politics. Decrees have been halted, revised, or challenged in court, but legal defense is expensive, and lawsuits can serve as a powerful deterrent to opposition.
The White House has largely relied on executive orders and agency actions. Changes made by Trump could be reversed by a subsequent government without additional majorities. However, Trump has signed relatively few laws in his first months in office due to the Republican's lack of majorities in Congress and the Senate's notorious gridlock.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The U.S. stands at a crossroads, and the outlook is uncertain. While Trump's administration has already caused substantial damage to democracy, it remains to be seen if future presidents will follow suit or return to a more balanced, democratic approach. The choices made by future leaders could determine whether the U.S. remains in limbo or moves further down the road towards competitive authoritarianism.
After all, as the founders of the United States were keenly aware, even the best-crafted constitution can be undermined by an autocratic president hungry for power.
Source: ntv.de
- Donald Trump
- USA
Additional Insight: The U.S.'s shift towards competitive authoritarianism can be characterized by three main factors: executive power expansion, institutional manipulation, and media and civil society influence. Trump has been systematically working to expand executive power, manipulate institutions, and pressure media companies, law firms, and educational institutions to align with his rule. This dangerous combination has raised concerns about the integrity of future elections, governance challenges, and the potential global impact of the U.S.'s slide towards authoritarianism.
- The European Union might be watching America's slide towards competitive authoritarianism with growing concern, as the undermining of democratic principles in the U.S. could potentially lead to a similar shift in other democracies.
- In light of the Trump administration's quest for power consolidation and manipulation of democratic institutions, there is a likelihood that war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice topics on platforms like WhatsApp could become increasingly politicized and manipulated, as seen in competitive autocracies.
- As Trump and his allies continue to sabotage the foundational pillars of democracy, it's essential for anti-corruption controls and equal opportunity measures within the European Union to remain robust, to prevent any potential encroachment of autocratic tendencies.
- Additionally, the EU should keep a close eye on digital technologies and their role in politics, as projects like Elon Musk's "Ministry of Government Efficiency" could be used to bypass established bureaucratic systems, weakening democracy and enabling autocratic rule.
- If the U.S. continues its slide towards competitive authoritarianism, it could have far-reaching consequences, potentially serving as a warning for the European Union and encouraging other autocracies to further suppress freedoms and democratic principles. The decisions made by the European Union's leaders could be crucial in ensuring the continued strength and integrity of the Union.
