Fighting Autocracy

Democratic Backsliding & Authoritarian Drift

A cracked marble column stands in partial shadow, its jagged fracture illuminated by a narrow beam of light; dust particles float in the air, while the surrounding architecture fades into darkness, evoking the quiet erosion of democratic institutions.

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American democracy is not collapsing in a single dramatic moment — it is being weakened step by step, through choices that concentrate power, erode accountability, and normalize the extraordinary. What once seemed unthinkable has become familiar: attacks on the press, assaults on civil liberties, the manipulation of law enforcement, the corrosion of truth, and a governing style that treats institutions as obstacles rather than guardrails.

This hub examines the patterns behind that drift. From the expansion of executive power to the suppression of dissent, from disinformation campaigns to the targeting of vulnerable communities, each essay traces a different strand of a broader authoritarian trend. Together, they reveal a political environment where loyalty is prized over law, where fear is leveraged for control, and where democratic norms are treated as inconveniences rather than obligations.

Understanding these dynamics is essential. Democracies rarely fail all at once; they erode when citizens stop noticing the ground shifting beneath their feet. This collection is meant to make that shift visible — and to remind us that the defense of democracy begins with recognizing the forces that threaten it.

Cornerstone Essays

Split-screen image showing a sledgehammer hovering above the word “DICTATORSHIP” on a dark background, and a bald eagle above the word “FREEDOM” on a gold background—symbolizing the contrast between oppression and democratic strength.

Authoritarian Trends in America

Authoritarianism takes root when leaders elevate loyalty over truth and personal power over democratic norms. The psychological patterns behind that shift reveal how easily institutions can erode when character, not principle, drives governance.

A large crowd of protesters gathers outside Los Angeles City Hall, holding signs and flags. One sign reads “NO KINGS,” symbolizing resistance to authoritarianism and the lawlessness of the Trump Administration.

The Lawlessness of the Trump Administration

Trump’s presidency has openly defied constitutional norms, but the pattern long predates the Oval Office — it’s another chapter in his history of using the legal system to expand personal power, punish critics, and evade accountability.

Expanding Executive Power

Donald Trump’s time in office isn’t just another test of the system; it’s a full-scale assault on its limits. He’s declared national emergencies to get around Congress, fired off executive orders to ignore laws he didn’t like, and publicly attacked any judge who ruled against him.

All Posts and Essays

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