From NPR · · 1m 30s
U.S. democracy hits a 50-year low
A global index that has tracked 174 countries since 1975 says no country slid further than the United States.
In brief
A global index that has tracked 174 countries since 1975 says no country slid further than the United States. Democratic decline used to correct itself. This time the data shows it compounding, and the U.S. is the clearest case. Originally reported by NPR.
Fifty years, new bottom
A new global index puts U.S. democratic performance at its lowest point in the 50 years the data covers. Nearly half of the 30 indicators measured hit record lows.
The pattern is global
Researchers at Sweden's International IDEA track freedom of expression, press freedom, credible elections and working parliaments. All are dropping sharply across many countries.
“Severe drops in scores that measure freedom of expression, freedom of the press, credible elections, effective parliament”
No self-correction this time
Seema Shah, who runs the group's democracy assessment team, says past slides eventually reversed themselves. This one keeps deepening, and voters are warming to non-democratic rule.
“It's getting worse and worse.”
One country stood out
The report says Trump amassed power in the executive branch in 2025 and used it for personal goals and retaliation, undermining the rule of law at home and straining alliances abroad.
“The clearest example, unfortunately, is the United States.”
The export business closed
The U.S. once pushed democracy abroad through aid and alliances. That aid has been dismantled, and in Riyadh last year Trump said the U.S. would stop lecturing other countries.
“lectures on how to live”
Comebacks rarely hold
Across 174 countries, 57% slipped on at least one key measure, with rule of law the weakest globally. And 90% of democratic recoveries decline again within five years.
“Unless you're willing to break your own democratic laws to get them out, what can you do?”
What to remember
Democratic decline used to correct itself. This time the data shows it compounding, and the U.S. is the clearest case.
