The New York Times editorial board recently published an index tracking 12 categories of democratic erosion, based on historical patterns and interviews with experts. The index places the United States on a scale of 0 to 10 for each category. Zero represents the United States before President Donald Trump began his second term – not perfect, surely, but one of the world’s healthiest democracies. Ten represents the condition of a true autocracy, such as China, Iran or Russia.
The 12 markers of Democratic Erosion are:
- Stifling speech and dissent
- Persecuting political opponents
- Bypassing the Legislature
- Defying the courts
- Declaring false emergencies
- Using the military at home
- Vilifying marginalized groups
- Controlling information
- Trying to take over universities
- Creating a cult of personality
- Using power for personal profit
- Manipulating the law to stay in power
On a scale from 0 to 10, how would you rate each of the 12 markers on the Autocracy Index for Trump – one year into his second term?
Neonila Martyniuk
Montrose
