Exploring Democracy, Crisis, and Institutional Erosion

The dynamics of democracy in crisis can lead to a deviation amplifying loop where weakening democratic institutions hinder the ability to repair and strengthen democracy. While global institutions may counteract geopolitical recession, the United States faces significant institutional erosion without recognizing it as a crisis. This normalization of damaging behaviors, such as subverting free and fair elections, has led to a lack of concern among Americans. The US struggles to address its democratic shortcomings, with record low institutional legitimacy and an inability to conduct universally accepted free and fair elections, setting it apart as a concerning outlier in the world of democracies.