The Political Scene | The New Yorker What Stops Democracy from Backsliding?
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Feb 22, 2025 Larry Diamond, a Stanford democracy expert, dives into the alarming state of American democracy under Trump. He discusses the unsettling alignment of Republican lawmakers due to fear, reflecting on authoritarian practices taking root. The dialogue highlights the need for civic engagement to counter this backsliding, emphasizing the crucial roles of Congress and ordinary citizens. Diamond also addresses how concentrated wealth threatens democratic integrity and urges a bipartisan approach to reinvigorate democratic norms.
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Current State of American Democracy
- America faces alarming trends like Congress abandoning responsibility and a disregard for checks and balances.
- These, coupled with Elon Musk's involvement, create a unique, dangerous situation for democracy.
Fear in American Democracy
- The erosion of civic education and rising political violence contribute to a climate of fear.
- This fear, combined with Trump's actions, fuels authoritarianism's rise.
Political Fear and Intimidation
- Fear of political violence, particularly after Trump pardoned insurrectionists, is pervasive.
- Combined with Trump's influence in Republican primaries, this creates an environment of intimidation.
