As the U.S. gears up for the midterm elections, some political experts are voicing concerns about a potential drift toward autocracy. Staffan I. Lindberg, director of the V-Dem Institute, argues that the country has reached what he calls an “electoral autocracy.” This means that while elections still happen, the ruling party uses tactics like attacking the press and disenfranchising voters to gain an edge.
Harvard professor Steven Levitsky agrees. He suggests the U.S. may be moving into a form of “competitive authoritarianism.” This is when a country holds elections, but the ruling party unfairly manipulates the system to maintain power. He noted that the language used by political leaders today echoes that of dictators in South America during the 1970s, such as Augusto Pinochet. Recent actions by the Trump administration have raised alarms, like threatening media organizations and suggesting military exercises in urban areas.
Experts are divided on this issue. Some argue that the U.S. government system is still intact, although battered. Political scientist Kurt Weyland feels confident that the U.S. can withstand attempts to expand executive power. He points out that while Trump’s methods might have seemed effective initially, they have not been as successful as he may have hoped. For instance, Trump’s efforts to skew election outcomes through redistricting largely failed.
The response from the public has been significant. For example, protests erupted after federal agents shot two citizens in Minneapolis, emphasizing a backlash to aggressive law enforcement tactics. The incident sparked demonstrations, where people signaled distress by spelling “SOS” on a frozen lake.
Experts like Kim Scheppele from Princeton University worry that upcoming elections could see similar tactics to those employed by autocratic regimes. In Hungary, voters faced confusion and disenfranchisement due to last-minute changes in polling locations. Some fear that proposals to have ICE monitor polling stations could lead to intimidation, deterring many from voting.
Dartmouth professor Brendan Nyhan notes that even the discussion around such measures poses a serious threat. He points out that the fear of harassment could suppress voter turnout among marginalized groups. While some believe that such actions might galvanize even more people to vote, the potential for voter suppression looms large.
In summary, as the midterm elections approach, tensions are rising around the integrity of the democratic process in the U.S. Experts are calling for vigilance and critical examination of how power is wielded and how it can affect the future of democracy.
For a deeper dive into global autocratic trends, visit the V-Dem Institute.
