Kim Lane Scheppele, Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor at Princeton and autocracy law expert, offers a chilling look at Trump's fast-tracking America toward autocracy. She discusses the alarming parallels between Trump's orders and global authoritarian trends. Scheppele highlights how legal frameworks can manipulate democracy, drawing on experiences from Hungary and Russia. The conversation urges communities to resist rising cruelty and protect civil rights, emphasizing the importance of empathy and ongoing electoral integrity in safeguarding democracy.
The rapid execution of divisive executive orders under Trump indicates a deliberate strategy to undermine civil liberties and democratic norms.
Evident parallels between current developments in the U.S. and past authoritarian regimes underline the importance of recognizing patterns of democratic erosion.
Civil society's role in resisting autocratic trends is paramount, as grassroots movements and public dissent are crucial for protecting democracy.
Deep dives
The Impact of Executive Orders
The recent executive orders issued by the administration have raised significant concerns regarding their implications for civil liberties and democracy. These orders include actions such as banning transgender service members and imposing restrictions on healthcare for transgender individuals under 19, highlighting a pattern of marginalization against vulnerable populations. Additionally, threats to cut funding for schools that do not align with the administration’s views on race and gender further emphasize the potential chilling effect on educational institutions. The timing and nature of these actions reflect a strategy to consolidate power while simultaneously deflecting attention from their overarching implications.
The Rise of Authoritarianism
The discussion highlights the increasingly visible signs of authoritarianism in the current political landscape, reminiscent of patterns observed in nations experiencing democratic backsliding. Experts point out that many autocrats, including recent leaders in various countries, have used the mechanisms of law to dismantle democracy from within rather than through overt military coups. The normalization of inflammatory rhetoric serves as a smokescreen for more insidious actions that remove checks on executive power, thus solidifying autocratic control. This methodical dismantling can often go unnoticed until it is too late, creating a competitive landscape where governance becomes increasingly erratic and unpredictable.
Learning from Historical Precedents
Drawing from historical examples, the conversation analyzes how past attempts at consolidating power provide insights into current practices. Specific cases from Hungary, Russia, and Venezuela illustrate how populist leaders, once elected through fair processes, begin to erode democratic norms and institutions that constrain their power. The initial approval by election monitors does not guarantee long-term adherence to democratic principles, as these leaders enact legal changes that entrench their authority. Recognizing these strategies is crucial for those hoping to resist similar trends domestically, as it allows for re-evaluation of how power is maintained and challenged.
The Role of Civil Society
Civil society plays a pivotal role in resisting the encroachment of authoritarian practices by providing support and mobilizing public dissent. The conversation emphasizes the importance of safeguarding institutions that remain resilient against the consolidation of power, particularly at state and local levels. Grassroots movements, legal challenges, and public outcry can serve to slow down or alter the trajectory of autocratic policies. Engaging communities and fostering solidarity among those impacted by detrimental policies can create a unified front that resists systematic dismantling of democratic norms.
The Need for a Forward-Looking Definition of Democracy
A robust definition of democracy extends beyond free and fair elections; it encompasses the ongoing ability to hold future elections and maintain accountability across all governmental levels. This perspective urges individuals to consider not just the historical legitimacy of electoral victories but also the current and future state of institutional checks and balances. Democracy thrives on power rotation, and when a system becomes irreversibly entrenched, it risks stagnation and authoritarianism. Staying vigilant and responsive to the dynamics within governmental structures is key to preserving democratic integrity and fostering public trust.
If you’re punch-drunk and disoriented this week, come on in. Donald J Trump’s second administration is materializing at frightening speed and recklessness and it is hard (and stressful) to keep up with it all. Kim Lane Scheppele, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International affairs at Princeton University, explains that the speed and viciousness of the legal orders in Trump 2.0 are evidence that America switched over to the fast track for autocracy on January 20th, 2025. An expert in the law of autocracy, Scheppele has seen firsthand what happened to constitutional courts and the democratic norms that governed them in Russia and Hungary and she joins Dahlia Lithwick on Amicus this week to explain how Trump’s executive orders on everything from government funding to transgender people in the military reveal a familiar global playbook that has chillingly familiar endpoints.
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