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The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance’ s( IDEA International) 2020- 2021 report highlighted that democracy is in peril. Setbacks observed include misinformation, growing contestation of credible election results, efforts to suppress turnout and rampant polarization. Former President Donald Trump questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, leading to the storming of the Capitol in January 2021. Donald Trump’ s refusal to concede defeat has had an impact in other countries such as Brazil, India, Hungary, Poland and the Philippines. Although some believe that the United States cannot suddenly descend into dictatorship in the current state of its institutions, gradual changes could weaken institutions and further centralize power, favoring a slide towards authoritarianism. This phenomenon, known as“ incrementalism”, could accelerate in times of economic or martial crisis. Autocratic drifts have occurred in the United States in the past, such as the Alien & Sedition Acts of 1798 or Lincoln’ s suspension of habeas corpus. Donald Trump has defied the norms governing American elections, suggesting the incarceration of his opponent, encouraging violence and claiming the existence of millions of illegal votes. He has also called journalists“ enemies of the people” and publicly endorsed violence against them. The concentration of media and economic power poses risks to democratic resilience and citizen confidence. The authoritarian personality, which tends to structure society to reduce diversity and encourage conformity, is more likely to vote for right-wing populist parties. False information, or“ fake news”, used as effective propaganda, especially via social media, can undermine democracy.
Flashmag! Edition 163 Aout 2025
Ultimately, the question arises: what can we do when what we call democracy sacralizes the choice of a section of the people for dictatorship? In any case, as Étienne de La Boétie said,“ The worst thing is not to be oppressed. It’ s learning to love your chains.”
Hubert Marlin Elingui Jr. Journaliste
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