![[Democracy Threat Level 02.png]] Concerns about American democracy have grown over the past decade, with increasing polarization, institutional strain, and challenges to democratic norms. This page presents a five-point scale tracking the U.S. from stability to potential democratic erosion. It also examines how Donald Trump’s actions and rhetoric have contributed to this decline, highlighting key risks to electoral integrity, civil liberties, and institutional checks and balances. # Threat Level Scale | Level | <center>1</center> | <center>2</center> | <center>3</center> | <center>4</center> | <center>5</center> | | --------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Label | <center>Secure & Stable</center> | <center>Some Concerns</center> | <center>Troubled Democracy</center> | <center>High Risk of Democratic <br>Erosion</center> | <center>Democratic <br>Breakdown / Authoritarian <br>Rule</center> | | Direction | <center>USA →</center> | <center>USA →</center> | <center>USA →</center> | <center>← USA?→</center> | | | Timeline | <center>2010</center> | <center>2016</center> | <center>2021</center> | <center>2025</center> | | Here’s a five-point scale to assess the **threat level to American democracy**, ranging from a stable system to a full democratic breakdown: ### **1 – Secure & Stable** - Free and fair elections with high voter participation and no significant interference. - Strong rule of law with independent courts upholding democratic principles. - A free press operates without restrictions, and misinformation has minimal impact. - Peaceful transfers of power between administrations. - Civil rights and political freedoms are well-protected. ### **2 – Some Concerns** - Elections are generally free and fair, but there are growing concerns about voter suppression, gerrymandering, or campaign finance issues. - Some political polarization, but government institutions remain functional and respected. - Attempts to weaken democratic norms, such as executive overreach or partisan judicial appointments, but checks and balances still hold. - Disinformation and media polarization increase, but factual reporting remains widely available. - Some erosion of civil liberties, such as press restrictions or excessive protest crackdowns. ### **3 – Troubled Democracy** - Elections face significant challenges, such as voter intimidation, widespread disinformation, or loss of public trust in results. - Political institutions are under strain, with threats to judicial independence or legislative gridlock that hinders governance. - Growing acceptance of anti-democratic actions, such as political leaders refusing to accept election outcomes. - Freedom of the press is under attack, with increased government pressure, media consolidation, or widespread propaganda. - Civil liberties are increasingly curtailed, and political violence or threats against officials become more common. ### **4 – High Risk of Democratic Erosion** - Elections are manipulated or significantly undermined, with systematic disenfranchisement or government interference. - Political institutions are heavily politicized, with courts and law enforcement used to target opponents. - Leaders refuse to accept democratic norms, openly attack institutions, or take authoritarian actions like overriding checks and balances. - Press freedom is severely restricted, and independent journalism is suppressed. - Civil liberties and political opposition face crackdowns, including arrests of political opponents or violent suppression of protests. ### **5 – Democratic Breakdown / Authoritarian Rule** - Elections are no longer meaningful, manipulated, or outright abandoned. - The government operates without real opposition, with the judiciary and legislature under full executive control. - The press is fully state-controlled or silenced, with dissent punished. - Civil liberties are largely eliminated, and opposition figures are imprisoned or exiled. - Widespread political violence, including government-backed crackdowns on protests or opposition groups. This scale helps track warning signs of democratic backsliding and highlights when democratic institutions need urgent protection. ## **Impact of Donald Trump** Donald Trump's tenure as President has been associated with several actions and behaviors that analysts and scholars argue have contributed to the perception of the United States as a "flawed democracy." Key areas of concern include: **1. Undermining Electoral Integrity**: - **Election Subversion Attempts**: Efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including pressuring officials and promoting unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, have been viewed as direct challenges to democratic processes. ([brookings.edu](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-democratic-decline-in-the-united-states/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) **2. Erosion of Democratic Norms**: - **Attacks on the Press**: Labeling the media as "enemies of the people" and undermining trust in traditional news sources have been seen as attacks on the free press, a cornerstone of democracy. ([brookings.edu](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/did-trump-damage-american-democracy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - **Disregard for Rule of Law**: Actions such as firing inspectors general and requiring loyalty pledges from officials have raised concerns about the undermining of independent oversight and the rule of law. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/60fa3a9fabf6328f9aa3c45ed34e2cc3?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) **3. Polarization and Societal Divisions**: - **Exacerbating Divisions**: Rhetoric and policies that deepen societal divisions have contributed to increased polarization, which can weaken democratic cohesion. ([brookings.edu](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-democratic-decline-in-the-united-states/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) **4. Undermining Democratic Institutions**: - **Challenging Checks and Balances**: Efforts to expand executive power, such as attempting to reallocate funds without congressional approval, have been viewed as challenges to the constitutional separation of powers. ([vox.com](https://www.vox.com/on-the-right-newsletter/397120/trump-federal-spending-grant-pause-cutoff-democracy?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) These actions have led to a decline in the U.S.'s democratic ratings. For instance, the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index downgraded the U.S. from a "full democracy" to a "flawed democracy" during Trump's presidency. ([brookings.edu](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-democratic-decline-in-the-united-states/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) In summary, various actions and behaviors during Donald Trump's presidency have been identified by scholars and analysts as contributing to the perception of a decline in the quality of American democracy.