WASHINGTON (AP) — A notable survey indicates many U.S. political scientists perceive the nation moving away from liberal democracy. The survey polled hundreds of U.S.-based academics regarding the health of American democracy following the November election.
Conducted by Bright Line Watch, the survey asked professors to rate the performance of U.S. democracy. After President Trump’s election, the rating stood at 67 on a scale where 100 represents perfect democracy. That figure dropped to 55 within weeks of his second term beginning. John Carey, a director for Bright Line Watch and professor at Dartmouth, noted the decline as significant and the largest since the survey began in 2017.
Scholars surveyed considered 30 factors, including potential government interference with the press and actions against political opponents. While scholars specializing in democracy express alarm, others offer different perspectives on the administration's actions.
Many academics use the term competitive authoritarianism to describe the perceived shift. This system features elections but sees a leader consolidating power and weakening checks on authority. This involves placing loyalists in key government positions and challenging media and academic institutions, according to some views. Examples cited include systems in Hungary and Turkey.
Critics point to actions such as the administration's Federal Communications Commission investigating major broadcast outlets, excluding one favorable to the president. These investigations question compliance with regulations and editing decisions. One analysis piece noted the Trump White House sought tighter grip on message with new limits on press. Some scholars compare this to tactics used by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who reportedly targeted media business models.
Concerns also arose regarding threats to withhold funding from universities. This too draws comparisons to actions taken by the Hungarian government against educational institutions perceived as critical. Some scholars suggest this creates fear of government retribution.
However, some political scientists argue against the narrative of democratic decline. James Campbell, a retired University at Buffalo professor, suggests the criticisms are politically motivated, given the ideological leanings of many academics. He posits the administration uses legitimate presidential powers to address issues like trade imbalances.
Others highlight the resilience of the U.S. system. University of Texas political scientist Kurt Weyland suggests American institutions, such as the lower courts, provide checks on executive power. He contrasts President Trump's popular support, which was under 50% in his reelection and recently polled at 43%, with leaders like El Salvador's Nayib Bukele or Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, who enjoyed overwhelming mandates enabling them to fundamentally alter political systems.
Retired diplomats and national security experts also weighed in, with some signing an open letter accusing the administration of an assault on American democracy. NPR reported on this in a segment featuring Michele Kelemen.
While survey results indicate significant concern among many academics, the assessment of whether the U.S. is moving towards Authoritarianism remains a subject of debate, with differing views on the interpretation of recent political events and the strength of democratic institutions.
