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US Faces Severe Democratic Backsliding, Research Reveals

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Varieties of Democracy Institute's latest report finds the United States experiencing democratic backsliding at its worst since 1965.
Staffan Lindberg, a researcher at the Varieties of Democracy Institute, leads the report and notes the United States is moving toward autocracy faster than Hungary and Turkey due to concentrated presidential power.
Elections remain stable for now, but threats to election workers and possible denial of future results raise concerns.

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Story summary

The Varieties of Democracy Institute's latest report finds the United States experiencing democratic backsliding at its worst since 1965.
Staffan Lindberg, a researcher at the Varieties of Democracy Institute, leads the report and notes the United States is moving toward autocracy faster than Hungary and Turkey due to concentrated presidential power.
Elections remain stable for now, but threats to election workers and possible denial of future results raise concerns.