Fact Check: The World thinks the U.S. is becoming authoritarian

Fact Check: The World Thinks the U.S. is Becoming Authoritarian

What We Know

A significant number of political scientists and scholars have expressed concern that the United States is moving away from its liberal democratic foundations toward a more authoritarian governance style. According to a survey conducted by Bright Line Watch, which involved over 500 political scientists, the consensus indicates that American democracy is deteriorating. The survey revealed a drop in the perceived health of U.S. democracy from a score of 67 to 55 on a scale where 100 represents a perfect democracy, marking the most significant decline since the survey's inception in 2017 (NPR).

Scholars like Steven Levitsky, a professor at Harvard, have characterized the current political climate as a "slide into some form of authoritarianism," albeit one that is "relatively mild" compared to more extreme examples globally (NPR). This sentiment is echoed by other experts who draw parallels between the U.S. and countries like Hungary and Turkey, where democratic institutions have been systematically undermined by elected leaders (Washington Post, American Progress).

Analysis

The claim that the world perceives the U.S. as becoming authoritarian is supported by a variety of scholarly opinions and surveys. The Bright Line Watch survey highlights a broad consensus among political scientists who believe that the erosion of democratic norms is occurring under the current administration. This perspective is reinforced by the actions of the Trump administration, which have been described as employing tactics reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, such as undermining the independence of the media and judicial systems (Scientific American, The Guardian).

Critics of the administration argue that these actions create a political environment where dissent is discouraged, and the government can retaliate against those who oppose it. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) scrutiny of media outlets that criticize the administration has been likened to tactics used by authoritarian leaders to control public discourse (NPR, The Atlantic).

However, it is important to note that not all political scientists agree with this assessment. Some, like James Campbell from the University at Buffalo, argue that the perception of authoritarianism may stem from political biases against Trump rather than an objective analysis of his policies (NPR). This highlights a potential bias in the scholarly community, where personal political beliefs may influence interpretations of the administration's actions.

Conclusion

The claim that the world thinks the U.S. is becoming authoritarian is True. A substantial body of evidence from political scientists and scholars indicates a widespread belief that American democracy is under threat. The consensus from various surveys and expert analyses suggests that the U.S. is experiencing a significant decline in democratic norms, drawing comparisons to other nations that have transitioned to competitive authoritarianism. While there are dissenting opinions, the prevailing view among experts supports the assertion that the U.S. is moving toward a more authoritarian governance style.

Sources

1. U.S. is sliding toward authoritarianism, hundreds of ...
2. What America could look like a decade from now
3. The Dangers of Project 2025: Global Lessons in ...
4. Science Tells Us the U.S. Is Heading toward a Dictatorship
5. The Trump administration is descending into authoritarianism
6. Hundreds of scholars say US is swiftly heading toward ...
7. The New Authoritarianism - The Atlantic
8. The Path to American Authoritarianism