Fresh Air

America's Path To 'Competitive Authoritarianism'

142 snips
Apr 22, 2025
Stephen Levitsky, a Harvard professor of government, dives into the alarming decline of democracy in the U.S., highlighting how the Trump administration has facilitated this shift towards 'competitive authoritarianism.' He discusses how elected leaders can maintain a facade of democracy while eroding its core principles. Levitsky also critiques the politicization of government agencies and the implications for institutions like Harvard. He raises concerns about the chilling effects on dissent and the future trajectory of American democracy.
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INSIGHT

U.S. Democracy Quality Decline

  • The U.S. democracy score fell from low 90s to 83 according to Freedom House.
  • This places the U.S. below Argentina and comparable to Panama and Romania in democratic quality.
INSIGHT

Competitive Authoritarianism Explained

  • The U.S. risks sliding into "competitive authoritarianism," where elections exist but incumbents abuse power.
  • This hybrid regime looks democratic but tilts the playing field against opposition.
INSIGHT

U.S. Post-Watergate Civic Era

  • Though politicization of agencies existed before, reforms post-Watergate greatly limited it.
  • From 1974 to 2016, the U.S. saw very little state weaponization, marking its most democratic era.
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