Pulitzer Winner Identifies Five Signs the US Is Sliding Toward Autocracy

Growing Alarm Over American Democracy

According to ХВИЛЯ: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum has voiced serious concerns about the United States drifting toward autocratic rule, outlining five key tactics commonly used by authoritarians to dismantle democratic institutions. Although the Democracy Index currently classifies the U.S. as an electoral democracy, Applebaum warns that warning signs are emerging that threaten this status. Her analysis comes amid rising global anxiety about democratic backsliding in established nations.

Authoritarian Playbook Tactics

Applebaum identifies five core strategies employed by autocrats:

• corruption
• election manipulation
• politicization of the civil service
• control over the information space
• creation of security forces that operate above the law

As an example of such security forces, the historian pointed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She emphasized that

“most people think democracies end with tanks in the streets or gunfire at the presidential palace. But in the modern world, they usually end with someone legally elected beginning to dismantle the system”

- Anne Applebaum.

Donald Trump’s growing wealth has added to the unease. During his first two years in office, his net worth jumped from $2.3 billion to $6.5 billion. Another troubling development was Saudi Arabia’s $2 billion investment in Jared Kushner’s fund, raising further questions about the influence of money on political processes.

Allies’ reactions to U.S. administration actions have also sparked concern. Copenhagen began planning Greenland’s defense after Trump expressed intentions to seize the territory. Danes reportedly asked themselves: 'Do we sabotage airports in Greenland, or shoot down American planes?' Their European allies wrestled with similar dilemmas. Trump’s approval ratings have sunk to historic lows, while Tucker Carlson has started apologizing for his past support of Trump.

Amid this uncertainty, NATO members are discussing a Plan B in case Washington refuses to come to their aid. Meanwhile, the European Union is finalizing a trade deal with India, and Canada is strengthening security cooperation with the EU. Applebaum noted that

“we are only at the beginning of what could become very big changes”

- Anne Applebaum.

The situation in the United States and its impact on international relations remain pressing topics for discussion.

Applebaum’s concerns about threats to U.S. democracy reflect broader trends observed not only in America but in many other countries. The erosion of democratic institutions through corruption and political manipulation could have serious consequences for global stability and security. With populism and authoritarianism on the rise, it is crucial to monitor developments in the U.S., as they may significantly shape the global political landscape.

As concerns about the erosion of democratic norms grow, it's essential to examine how the U.S. is adapting its position on the global stage. The shift towards a more isolationist approach may have implications for these internal challenges. To explore how the U.S. is transitioning from a dominant global power to a more pragmatic stance, read more about the country's evolving international strategy in our detailed analysis here.