Trump is Trashing American (and World) Democracy

[finnbow]

The annual Democracy Index tracks the health of the world's governments. And the results for 2017 are depressing. In 89 countries, democratic norms look worse than they did last year, the report's authors write. Just 4.5 percent of the world's residents live in fully functioning democracies, down from 8.9 percent in 2015.

That precipitous drop is thanks, primarily, to the United States. In 2016, the Economist demoted the country from a "full" to "flawed" democracy, citing a "serious decline" in public trust in U.S. institutions. In 2017, the United States didn't fare any better, retaining its same rank and score. As the report's authors explain, President Trump was able to tap into the disempowerment felt by voters, who are frustrated with U.S.political and economic stagnation...

The report's authors caution that this polarization foreshadows further democratic deterioration, particularly because polarization leads to a less functional government, one less able to compromise and come together to solve big issues. The trend toward partisanship is also tied to a shift in confidence in government.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...-report-warns/

[nailer]

Pretty sure Obama was President in 2016.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by nailer

Pretty sure Obama was President in 2016.

With a vigorous right wing opposition eager to sabotage his administration at any cost.
And so, here we are.

[nailer]

Originally Posted by Pio1980

With a vigorous right wing opposition eager to sabotage his administration at any cost.
And so, here we are.

You are correct in that we have a vigorous left wing opposition eager to sabotage Trump's administration.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by nailer

You are correct in that we have a vigorous left wing opposition eager to sabotage Trump's administration.

He may do that on his own with his arrogant incompetence, but those who benefit from authoritarian capitalism that back him could continue to prop up this highly toxic demagogue.

[Pio1980]

Originally Posted by nailer

You are correct in that we have a vigorous left wing opposition eager to sabotage Trump's administration.

Turnabout is a fitting response to what many of us see as an immediate existential threat to the country.