The Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute at Gothenburg University has released a startling report declaring that the United States is no longer a democracy. The findings, published in their annual assessment, indicate that the US is descending into autocracy more swiftly than Hungary and Turkey. Staffan Lindberg, the institute's founder, remarked, "Our data on the USA goes back to 1789. What we're seeing now is the most severe magnitude of democratic backsliding ever in the country."
For the first time in over fifty years, the V-Dem Institute's report reveals that the US has lost its status as a liberal democracy, a significant shift that underscores a broader trend of democratic erosion worldwide. Lindberg noted, "For OrbĂĄn in Hungary, it took about four years, for VuÄiÄ in Serbia, it took eight years, and for ErdoÄan in Turkey and Modi in India, it took about 10 years to accomplish the suppression of democratic institutions that Trump has achieved in only one year." This alarming comparison highlights the rapid pace at which democratic norms are being undermined in America. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Historical Context of Democratic Decline
The report indicates that US democracy is currently at its lowest point since 1965, when civil rights laws established de facto universal suffrage. According to the report, all progress made since then has been undone, marking a troubling regression. Lindberg pointed out that globally, democracy has reached its nadir since the mid-1970s, with a startling 41% of the world's population-approximately 3.4 billion people-living in countries where democratic conditions are deteriorating. "The world has never before seen as many countries autocratising at the same time," he stated, emphasizing the alarming trajectory of global governance.
The V-Dem Institute employs 48 distinct metrics to evaluate the health of democracies, including freedom of expression, media independence, electoral integrity, and adherence to the rule of law. The resulting "liberal democracy index" reveals that the rate of dismantling democracy in the US is unprecedented in modern history.
Concentration of Power in the Executive Branch
One of the most significant factors contributing to this backslide, according to Lindberg, is the rapid concentration of power within the presidency. He explained that Congress has been marginalized, undermining the crucial checks and balances that define the American system of governance. "We've seen a very fast concentration of power in the executive wing. The legislative branch has practically abdicated its powers to the president. It no longer functions as a check on executive power," Lindberg asserted.
During his first year in office, Donald Trump signed 225 executive orders, while Congress, which was under Republican control at the time, passed only 49 new laws. Lindberg highlighted that many of Trump's executive actions were significant, including the shuttering of entire government departments and the dismissal of hundreds of thousands of federal employees. He remarked, "So, we no longer have a meaningful division between the legislative and executive branches."
Judicial System Under Strain
The judicial system has also been affected, with the Supreme Court often sidelined. Even when it strikes down Trump's orders, he has found ways to bypass judicial scrutiny. Lindberg noted, "There are more than 600 ongoing judicial procedures against the Trump administration in the courts," illustrating the contentious relationship between the executive branch and the judiciary.
Another disturbing element of America's democratic decline is the dismantling of internal safeguards designed to prevent abuse of power. Lindberg emphasized that Trump has removed numerous inspectors general and senior civil servants, replacing them with loyalists. "This is exactly what OrbĂĄn and ErdoÄan did. They remove the constraints on power. It should be obvious by now that Trump is aiming for dictatorship," he warned.
When Lindberg established the V-Dem Institute in 2012, global democracy was at a high point. Initially focused on tracking the process of democratization, the institute's mission has shifted dramatically as evidence of autocratic trends has emerged. "Now, all of us researching democratization have become researchers on autocratisation," he reflected.
The insights from the V-Dem Institute underscore a critical moment for American democracy and the global landscape. As the US grapples with internal challenges, the ramifications of this backslide could resonate well beyond its borders, affecting democratic movements worldwide. The urgency of these findings calls for a renewed commitment to preserving democratic values at home and abroad.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.