America’s Lost Democracy: When Did We Cross the Line?
The erosion of democracy is subtle, often manifesting as “competitive authoritarianism” where elections occur but incumbents abuse power to suppress opposition through legal means. This gradual shift is difficult to detect, as attacks on rivals often appear legitimate, delaying recognition of authoritarian tendencies. A key indicator is the cost of opposing the government; in democracies, opposition is protected, while authoritarian regimes punish dissent through various legal and extralegal means. Therefore, the increasing price of opposing the government serves as a critical metric for identifying a slide towards authoritarianism.
John Q. Hosedrinker