America’s Democracy Is on Life Support: Can We Save It?

Our democratic foundations are cracking, but history shows it’s not too late to save them.

Feb 12, 2025

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In recent years, the United States has experienced a significant shift in its political landscape, raising concerns about the stability of its democratic institutions.

This article explores the concept of competitive authoritarianism and its potential emergence in the U.S. while offering actionable ways to strengthen democracy and resist authoritarian trends.

Understanding Competitive Authoritarianism

Competitive authoritarianism is a political system where democratic institutions exist but are manipulated by those in power to maintain their position.

Unlike full-scale dictatorships, these regimes allow for some degree of political competition, but the playing field is heavily skewed in favor of incumbents.

The Global Context

Competitive authoritarian regimes have been observed in various countries, including Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro and the late Hugo Chávez, Hungary under Viktor Orbán, and Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

These examples provide valuable insights into the potential trajectory of the United States if current trends continue

The American Experience

The United States has long been considered a bastion of democracy, but recent events have raised concerns about its democratic resilience.

The Freedom House global freedom index, a widely respected measure of democratic health, has shown a worrying trend for the U.S.

Declining Freedom Scores

Between 2014 and 2021, the U.S. Freedom House score dropped from 92 to 83, placing it below countries like Argentina and Panama.

This decline reflects a weakening of democratic institutions and norms, particularly under Donald Trump's leadership.

The 2024 Election and Its Aftermath

The 2024 presidential election marked a turning point in American politics. Trump returned to the presidency amid controversy and allegations of electoral manipulation.

His campaign and subsequent actions in office have been characterized by authoritarian tendencies, which have alarmingly alarmed political scientists and democracy advocates.

Mechanisms of Competitive Authoritarianism in the U.S.

The emergence of competitive authoritarianism in the United States is marked not by a single coup but by a systematic, gradual dismantling of democratic norms and institutions.

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has escalated his efforts to consolidate power—reshaping federal structures in ways that sideline Congress and the Judiciary.

Weaponization of State Institutions

Traditional tactics have now been expanded. The current administration has actively taken over key departments to reshape their missions. Most notably, the Department of Treasury is now under direct presidential control.

Funding that Congress had already appropriated is being cut or diverted to serve the administration’s agenda, effectively bypassing legislative oversight and rechanneling resources to consolidate executive power.

Dismantling Oversight with DOGE

A particularly alarming development is the creation of an unofficial executive branch office known as DOGE.

This new mechanism is a dedicated unit established by Trump and led by Elon Musk that is systematically dismantling the federal government. DOGE is not simply symbolic; it is actively engaged in taking apart federal agencies one by one.

This week, for example, it’s reportedly working on restructuring and undermining the nation’s armed services. The ultimate aim is clear: to destroy accountability, strip oversight from independent institutions, and reduce Congress to a powerless bystander.

Abuse of Fiscal and Legal Authority

Alongside these structural changes, the administration has embraced aggressive fiscal tactics.

By cutting funding to critical agencies and diverting money already appropriated by Congress, the executive is effectively rewriting the rules on budgetary control.

At the same time, Trump has demonstrated an increasing willingness to defy court orders.

White House spokespersons and MAGA mouthpieces have recently argued that the Judicial Branch lacks any authority over him and his allies.

They claim executive power is absolute and that the separation of power bars judicial review of executive actions/policies—even when they are clearly criminal or unconstitutional.

Such claims and actions undermine the fundamental checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution.

Erosion of Civil Service Protections

In parallel with these moves, the aggressive reinstatement and application of Schedule F policies continue to erode civil service protections. Tens of thousands of federal employees are at risk of being replaced by political loyalists.

This strategy, reminiscent of tactics used by authoritarian leaders abroad, further consolidates control by weakening the independence of the federal bureaucracy.

Chilling Effect on Opposition

All these measures combine to create a severe chilling effect on opposition.

As dissent is met with swift retribution—through targeted investigations, funding cuts, or the threat of legal action—politicians, journalists, and academics face an environment where speaking out can come at a steep personal cost.

This pervasive climate of intimidation stifles open debate and ensures that critical institutions become increasingly compromised, eroding the delicate balance that underpins American democracy.

Can We Save American Democracy?

Despite these concerning trends, democracy is not doomed. History has shown that democratic backsliding can be reversed when citizens, institutions, and leaders unite to protect the core principles of democratic governance.

Here are some actionable strategies to ensure the U.S. can recover and strengthen its democracy.

Promoting Civic Engagement

Active participation by citizens is essential in countering authoritarianism. Here’s how individuals and communities can take action:

Join grassroots organizations: Groups focused on voter education, registration, and turnout are critical in protecting democratic processes. Organizations like Fair Fight and Common Cause are examples of movements making a difference.
Engage in local politics: Many decisions that affect democracy occur at the state and local levels. Attend town halls, vote in municipal elections, and support candidates prioritizing democratic reforms.
Support independent journalism: A free press is a cornerstone of democracy. Subscribe to independent news outlets and share their work to combat misinformation.

Building an Informed and Resilient Public

Education is a powerful tool for defending democracy. A well-informed electorate is less susceptible to authoritarian manipulation. Steps to consider include:

Combat misinformation: Share resources from trusted fact-checking organizations like Snopes or PolitiFact to counteract false narratives.
Teach civic skills: Advocate for stronger civics education in schools to ensure future generations understand their rights and responsibilities.

Look to Independent Media

Independent media outlets play a crucial role in upholding democratic values by providing unbiased, rigorous investigative journalism that challenges official narratives.

They operate outside corporate and governmental pressures, ensuring that diverse perspectives and critical voices reach the public.

In today's environment, where misinformation can spread rapidly, supporting independent media is essential to uncovering hidden abuses of power, exposing manipulation, and promoting transparency across all levels of government.

Independent reporting informs the electorate and serves as a vital check on efforts to erode democratic accountability.

International Solidarity: Global Lessons for Local Action

While high-level international cooperation often falls to governments—and remains off the table for the current administration—everyday citizens can still connect domestic struggles with successful global democratic movements.

Here’s how you can engage at the grassroots level:

Learn from Successful Democracies: Educate yourself and your community by exploring how other nations have resisted authoritarianism and strengthened their democratic institutions.

Sharing these success stories can inspire local efforts to uphold democratic values.
Amplify Global Pro-Democracy Voices: Use your social media platforms and local forums to disseminate reliable, independent international news.

By spotlighting global pro-democracy movements' achievements and best practices, you help build a network of awareness that transcends national boundaries.
Advocate for Global Awareness in Local Politics: Encourage local representatives and community groups to integrate international perspectives into policy discussions.

While the current administration may reject these ideas, persistent public demand for transparency and accountability can gradually shift local priorities.
Join International Pro-Democracy Networks: Connect with online communities or local chapters of global pro-democracy coalitions.

These networks share resources, strategies, and support for initiatives that ultimately reinforce democratic institutions at home.

Although the current environment may resist international collaborations, your actions can contribute to a broader movement that leverages global lessons for local resilience.

Every informed citizen who acts as a bridge between domestic issues and international success stories helps to reinforce the very foundation of a vibrant, accountable democracy.

Conclusion

The United States finds itself at a critical juncture, facing challenges to its democratic foundations that were once thought improbable.

While the country is not yet fully entrenched in a competitive authoritarian regime, the trends are concerning. However, history teaches us that democracy can be resilient when its defenders remain vigilant.

By strengthening democratic institutions, engaging in civic action, and advocating for necessary reforms, Americans can push back against authoritarianism and ensure a brighter, more democratic future.

The fight for democracy is not over—and it’s a fight worth winning.

Democracy isn’t going to save itself. Join a community of readers dedicated to understanding the fight for freedom—and how we win it. Subscribe now for more in-depth, thought-provoking content.

Stay vigilant. Stay hopeful. Get into "good trouble,"

samuel