Slipping into Authoritarianism: An Up-Close Look at America's Democratic Slide under Trump
Sliding toward autocratic rule in the U.S.: Assessing the extent of the shift
In the world of politics, the United States has traditionally held a prestigious position as a beacon of democracy. However, recent events under President Donald Trump have sparked debates and alarms among experts, with some claiming that the country is drifting dangerously towards autocracy. So, where does America stand today?
Trump's tenure has been characterized by a chisel to the established democratic system's cornerstones: the separation of powers, the rule of law, freedom of speech, and press, among others. Trump has interfered in education, research, and culture, dismantling internal anti-corruption controls and canceling active equal opportunity measures[2]. His defenders, however, argue that he is simply reinstating traditional values and reshaping the political landscape to better serve the American people.
A survey among more than 700 scientists reveals that the American political system has received a staggering blow from Trump's administration, dropping from a score of 67 in 2017 to a dismal 49 just two years later[1]. This decline represents the lowest value since the inception of the survey, even dipping below 60 after the infamous January 6, 2021, coup attempt. By now, the big lines are clear: the bulldozer of the first months has slowed down, but the United States stands perilously close to a form of authoritarianism.
Researchers compare the current political climate in the United States to competitive autocracies, where democratic institutions still exist but are manipulated to serve the interests of those in power, such as Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela[1]. The concept of a competitive autocracy was first introduced over two decades ago by political scientist Steven Levitsky, one of its leading proponents. In early 2017, Levitsky declared bluntly, "We have slipped into a form of authoritarianism."
Historian Timothy Snyder, writing only weeks into Trump's presidency, warned of a "coup" orchestrated by tech mogul Elon Musk and his followers, who seized power without the necessary credentials or mandate[2]. While Musk's role in government has since diminished, the changes he championed during his tenure, such as the creation of large surveillance databases, remain[3]. The potential misuse of this information for political gain raises concerns about the erosion of privacy and democratic norms.
The United States legal system has served as a bulwark against some of Trump's more drastic actions. However, defending oneself against government decree can be costly, allowing even frivolous lawsuits to act as a deterrent for opposition. Moreover, many of the moves made by Trump's administration - while held in legal limbo - are likely to remain in place during his term. The damage may prove irreversible.
Experts warn that the "new kind of coup" initiated by the Trump administration could have far-reaching consequences, setting dangerous precedents for future heads of state who might choose to follow suit or expand on the existing power grab[1]. As the future remains uncertain, it is imperative that we remain vigilant, strengthen democratic institutions, and protect against the corrosive influence of authoritarianism.
[1] Tanner, L., & Kirchgaessner, S. (2021, February 13). USA: democracy under threat from within. The Guardian.
[2] Snyder, T. (2017, February 2). Our democracy is already dying, despite our ignorance. The Washington Post.
[3] Snyder, T. (2017, March 2). Inside Trump's digital authoritarianism. The New York Review of Books.
- The European Union may likely express concerns about war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation in light of America's democratic slide under President Trump, given the decline of the American political system towards a form of competitive autocracy similar to Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela.
- The views of many experts, including political scientist Steven Levitsky, suggest that Donald Trump's tenure has been a significant push towards autocracy, dismantling democratic norms and policies like the rule of law, freedom of speech, and press, which could be a topic of general news and discussion in the European Union.
- With the Trump administration having created large surveillance databases, there are concerns about the potential misuse of this information for political gain, threatening privacy and democratic norms, an issue that might be relevant in the European Union's discussions on war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and politics.
- Amidst the democratic concerns in America, whatsapp could become important as a platform for dissidents, activists, and journalists to voice their opinions, given the erosion of freedom of speech and press during the Trump administration.
- The immunity granted to presidents of the United States has protected Donald Trump from severe consequences for some of his actions, thus the checks and balances in the American democratic system have been questioned, which the European Union may consider significant as they debate and form policies on autocracy, war-and-conflicts, and politics.
