Democracy news covering threats to democratic institutions, voting rights, election integrity, authoritarianism, and democratic health in the US and abroad.
This commentary argues that the emigration of politically liberal Americans, termed the 'Donald Dash', poses a threat to US democracy by draining political capital. It contends that as democratic-leaning citizens leave, electoral districts become less representative, exacerbating the erosion of democratic norms and institutional checks.
The author argues that despite Trump's assaults on democracy, citizens can take concrete steps to rebuild democratic foundations. Drawing on Wisconsin's transformation from a 'democracy desert' to a competitive state, he contends that small numbers of votes can shift outcomes and urges collective action from all Americans.
This commentary argues that the American Revolution revealed a constitutional crisis in the British Empire, and contends that broader suffrage was necessary to check royal power and ensure liberty. It focuses on the role of the Third Duke of Richmond in this historical debate.
This commentary argues that the United States is in an 'epistemological crisis' where citizens no longer share a common baseline of facts or trust institutions. Panelists discuss the challenges to American democracy 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the erosion of shared reality and public trust.
This commentary argues that calls to 'save democracy' fail to resonate with Trump voters because they view institutions as illegitimate when they stray from conservative values like faith, family, freedom, and place. The authors draw on interviews with conservative voters to suggest that rebuilding trust requires addressing these foundational concerns.
Rep. Garcia argues that the removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center symbolizes democratic resilience and accountability. The commentary suggests this action reflects broader institutional checks against executive overreach, framing it as a positive sign of democratic functioning.
A special edition of Washington Week with The Atlantic aired on June 12, featuring a panel discussion on the state of U.S. democracy. Panelists included Jeffrey Goldberg, Tim Alberta, and others, examining challenges ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.