Fact Check: The U.S. may evolve into a competitive authoritarian system.

Fact Check: "The U.S. may evolve into a competitive authoritarian system."

What We Know

Recent analyses and surveys conducted by political scientists indicate a growing consensus that the United States is shifting away from liberal democracy towards a form of authoritarianism, often referred to as "competitive authoritarianism." According to a survey of over 500 political scientists, the majority believe that the U.S. is moving swiftly towards this system, with ratings of American democracy dropping significantly from 67 to 55 on a scale where 100 represents a perfect democracy (NPR). Scholars like Steven Levitsky and Kim Lane Scheppele have articulated concerns that the U.S. is experiencing a decline in democratic norms, akin to the conditions seen in countries like Hungary and Turkey, which are characterized by competitive authoritarian regimes (NPR, NPR).

Competitive authoritarianism is defined as a system where elections occur, but the ruling party employs various tactics to undermine opposition and maintain power, including manipulating media, judiciary, and civil service (NPR, Kettering). The erosion of checks and balances, as well as the targeting of dissenting voices, are hallmarks of this system (Ash Center, NPR).

Analysis

The claim that the U.S. may evolve into a competitive authoritarian system is supported by substantial evidence from credible sources. The Bright Line Watch survey, which tracks the health of American democracy, shows a significant decline in perceived democratic integrity since the election of Donald Trump, highlighting concerns over executive overreach and the undermining of democratic institutions (NPR).

Moreover, experts like Levitsky, who co-authored "How Democracies Die," emphasize that while the U.S. is not yet a full authoritarian regime, the trajectory suggests a troubling shift towards competitive authoritarianism (NPR). This perspective is echoed by various political scientists who have observed similar patterns in other nations, suggesting that the U.S. is not unique in this trend but rather part of a broader global phenomenon (Kettering, Ash Center).

However, it's important to note that not all scholars agree on the severity of the situation. Some argue that while there are concerning trends, the U.S. retains mechanisms that could potentially reverse this trajectory (NPR). This indicates a level of debate within the academic community regarding the extent and immediacy of the threat to American democracy.

Conclusion

The evidence supports the claim that the U.S. may evolve into a competitive authoritarian system. The significant decline in democratic ratings, expert analyses, and the observed erosion of democratic norms collectively indicate a troubling trend towards authoritarianism. While there is room for debate regarding the immediacy and severity of this evolution, the consensus among political scientists suggests that the U.S. is indeed on a path that could lead to competitive authoritarianism.

Verdict: True

Sources

1. The Path to American Authoritarianism - Ash Center
2. U.S. is sliding toward authoritarianism, hundreds of ...
3. Is America becoming an autocracy?
4. How Will We Know When We Have Lost Our Democracy?
5. Scholarly articles for U.S. competitive authoritarian system evolution analysis 2025
6. The New Authoritarianism: This Isn’t Single-Party Rule, But ...
7. The Path to American Authoritarianism
8. America’s Slide into Authoritarianism, as seen from TED 2025