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The Conversation
The Conversation
Politics
Jennifer Victor, Associate Professor of Political Science, George Mason University

US swing toward autocracy doesn’t have to be permanent – but swinging back to democracy requires vigilance, stamina and elections

United States Donald Trump Democracy Democratic Party Jair Bolsonaro Joe Biden White House

The United States is no longer a democracy.

At least, that’s the verdict of one nonprofit, the Center for Systemic Peace, which measures regime qualities of countries worldwide based on the competitiveness and integrity of their elections, limits to executive authority and other factors.

“The USA is no longer considered a democracy and lies at the cusp of autocracy,” the group’s 2025 report read.

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