Authoritarian rule is a threat to democracy. It is not just a problem in far-flung places; it is right here at home in the United States. In fact, it is one of the most pressing challenges facing our global society, and it should be the top priority for all who respect human rights.
While some autocratic regimes today feature democratic facades, they are often deeply flawed and rife with abuses. They use propaganda and disinformation with ruthless efficiency, targeting specific groups to cripple opponents and shore up their own support. They employ “salami tactics,” slicing away democracy a little bit at a time, eroding the safeguards that keep them in check and eventually cementing themselves in power. They delegitimize dissent and use invented grievances to evade accountability.
Even in regimes that are not fully totalitarian or fascist, such as personalistic dictatorships, they impose strict leadership control and skew the balance of power to the leader’s advantage. They may allow for some opposition within legislatures or a certain level of judicial independence, but these are usually just façades to maintain domestic and international legitimacy. The real power rests in the dictator’s hands, and other institutions are weak or nonexistent.
As a result, citizens must strike an uncomfortable balance between liberal principles of individual freedoms and tolerance and their need for collective security and protection in times of crisis. As the authors point out, this can lead people to conceive of authoritarian policies as the best means of responding to societal threats. The report also suggests ways to strengthen democracy’s institutions, codify democratic norms and build resilience against authoritarian encroachment.