“America is on the cusp of competitive authoritarianism. The Trump administration has already begun to weaponize state institutions and deploy them against opponents.” A *must-read* from Steven Levitsky and @lucanway.bsky.social Quotes in 🧵 but read the piece www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state... - ThreadSky

jenvictor.bsky.social • 17 days ago

“America is on the cusp of competitive authoritarianism. The Trump administration has already begun to weaponize state institutions and deploy them against opponents.”

A *must-read* from Steven Levitsky and @lucanway.bsky.social
Quotes in 🧵 but read the piece
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/path-american-authoritarianism-trump

Comments

the0point.bsky.social•17 days ago

Man, blue sky is peaking out with content compared to that other shit hole.

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

“between 2014 and 2021, Freedom House’s annual global freedom index, which scores all countries on a scale of zero to 100, downgraded the United States from 92 (tied with France) to 83 (below Argentina and tied with Panama and Romania), where it remains.”
2/16

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

Trump record:
- tried to overturn an election
- Tried to block peaceful transition of power
- Congress and judiciary did not hold him accountable
- His party renominated him for president
- He won
- Meanwhile, an extraordinary SCOTUS decision has granted broad immunity
3/16

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

“U.S. democracy will likely break down during the second Trump administration, in the sense that it will cease to meet standard criteria for liberal democracy: full adult suffrage, free and fair elections, and broad protection of civil liberties.”
4/16

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

“Trump will not be able to rewrite the Constitution ... He will be constrained by independent judges, federalism, the country’s professionalized military, and high barriers to constitutional reform. There will be elections in 2028, and Republicans could lose them.”
5/16

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

“But much of the coming authoritarianism will take a less visible form: the politicization and weaponization of government bureaucracy.”
6/16

jenvictor.bsky.social•17 days ago

“established democracies have elaborate sets of laws, rules, and norms to prevent the state’s weaponization. These include independent judiciaries, central banks, and election authorities and civil services with employment protections.”
7/16

durlstonp.bsky.social•17 days ago

Too many judges will accommodate him.

Federalism is only supported by the courts where it benefits Republicans.

There are plenty of MAGA in the military.

The press didn't cover the more credible evidence of election interference in 2024, so you place a lot of confidence in 2028 being a fair vote.

durlstonp.bsky.social•17 days ago

As for the Constitution? As Congress recognises that he has assumed Congressional powers & is content, it seems that the Constitution isn't the protection you assume it to be.

Laws don't exist where they aren't diligently and fairly applied. Even Constitutional law.

durlstonp.bsky.social•17 days ago

It's only going to continue down. A current, unbiased assessment would put it in the high 60s to low 70s, below Czechia.

If the present Trump/Musk trajectory continues, it will be <50 within 2 years, rivalling Kosovo & Hungary or, even worse, the various 'stans.

goodyse.bsky.social•17 days ago

Cusp? That feeling is not the cusp

bigreaderbadgrades.bsky.social•17 days ago

I'd just finished reading the piece when I hopped on here and saw this. @foreignaffairs.com has been one of the most valuable/incisive sources of commentary on Trump's reign since inauguration day.

This piece gives a harrowing/feasible forecast of where we're headed.

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