ARE WE LOSING OUR DEMOCRACY?
Countries that slide from democracy toward autocracy tend to follow similar patterns. To measure what is happening in the United States, the N.Y. Times editorial board has compiled a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion under Trump: they are a warning of how much Americans have already lost and how much more we still could lose.
Trump has started with all of the things an authoritarian does:
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Stifles dissent and speech. Trump has started to
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Persecutes political opponents. Trump has
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Bypasses the legislature. Trump has started to
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Uses the military for domestic control. Trump has started to
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Defies the courts. Trump has started to
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Declares national emergencies on false pretenses. Trump has
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Vilifies marginalized groups. Trump has
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Controls information and the news media. Trump has started to
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Tries to take over universities. Trump has started to
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Creates a cult of personality. Trump has.
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Uses power for personal profit. Trump has
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Manipulates the law to stay in power. Trump has started to.