Anne Applebaum: American democracy is deteriorating through elected leaders dismantling systems, the rise of high-end corruption threatens integrity, and disenfranchisement could lead to violence

Key takeaways

• American democracy is experiencing deterioration, often overlooked until significant damage is done.
• Democracies can decline through elected leaders dismantling systems rather than through overt violence.
• Modern democratic decline often involves the gradual erosion of electoral systems by those in power.
• Independent institutions are crucial for maintaining democratic integrity and ensuring fair elections.
• The breakdown of democratic norms can lead to unfair elections and shift national discourse negatively.
• Historical undemocratic practices in the US influence current political dynamics.
• Disenfranchisement in the US could lead to violence due to a lack of political representation.
• High-end corruption is rising in US politics, undermining democratic institutions.
• The US is increasingly seen as an electoral democracy, which is less free than a liberal democracy.
• Gerrymandering contributes to political corruption and declining government quality.
• The perception of the US political system is shifting, impacting its democratic status.
• Electoral manipulation through gerrymandering affects governance and public service quality.

Guest intro

Anne Applebaum is a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of its Autocracy in America podcast. She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for Gulag: A History and a senior fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Her latest book is Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World.

The subtle decline of democracies

• The deterioration of American democracy is already happening.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Democracies often end not with violence but through elected leaders dismantling systems.

• Most people think democracies end with tanks in the street… but actually, they mostly end because someone legitimately elected begins to take apart the system.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Understanding the mechanisms of democratic decline is crucial for analyzing political trends.
• Elected officials play a significant role in the erosion of democratic systems.
• The decline is often gradual, involving subtle political maneuvers.
• Vigilance is necessary to protect democratic structures from erosion.
• The importance of independent institutions in maintaining democracy cannot be overstated.

The role of independent institutions in democracy

• Democracy requires independent institutions to function properly and ensure fair elections.

• What a democracy needs in order to survive… it needs a few neutral institutions.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Neutral institutions are essential for maintaining electoral integrity.
• The breakdown of these institutions can lead to unfair elections.

• When that begins to break down… you begin to have elections that seem unfair.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Fair elections are critical for sustaining democratic stability.
• The erosion of independent institutions affects national discourse and public trust.
• Ensuring neutrality in institutions is vital for democratic health.

Historical context of US democracy

• The US has a history of undemocratic practices, especially in the South before civil rights.

• You had very undemocratic parts of the United States.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Historical practices influence current political dynamics and decisions.
• Some political figures draw from historical undemocratic practices.
• Understanding past political contexts is crucial for addressing current issues.
• The civil rights movement marked a significant shift in democratic practices.
• Historical awareness can inform strategies for strengthening democracy.
• The legacy of past practices continues to affect US political systems.

The consequences of disenfranchisement

• Disenfranchisement could lead to a class of people who feel disconnected from the political system.

• It’s already creating a class of people who no longer feel they have a stake in the political system.

  — Anne Applebaum

• This disconnect may result in decreased voter turnout and political engagement.
• A lack of representation can lead to social instability and violence.
• Addressing disenfranchisement is crucial for maintaining social peace.
• Political disenfranchisement poses risks to democratic stability.
• Ensuring inclusive political participation is essential for democracy.
• The implications of disenfranchisement extend beyond politics to societal cohesion.

The rise of corruption in US politics

• High-end corruption is increasing in the US political system.

• We also have a rise in high-end corruption.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Corruption undermines democratic institutions and public trust.
• Political figures and companies close to power exploit systems for profit.
• This level of corruption was not previously possible at such a scale in the US
• Addressing corruption is vital for restoring democratic integrity.
• Transparency and accountability are key to combating political corruption.
• The impact of corruption extends to governance and policy-making.

The shift in US democratic classification

• The US is increasingly viewed as an electoral democracy rather than a liberal democracy.

• Those who made the map don’t count the United States anymore as a liberal democracy.

  — Anne Applebaum

• This classification reflects a shift in the perception of US political freedom.
• Electoral democracies are seen as less free than liberal democracies.
• The implications of this shift affect the US’s global democratic standing.
• Understanding these classifications helps in analyzing political systems.
• The perception of the US impacts its role in promoting democracy worldwide.
• Addressing the factors leading to this shift is crucial for democratic health.

The impact of gerrymandering on governance

• Gerrymandering contributes to political corruption and declining government quality.

• You already have this system of… gerrymandering where electoral districts are being written in such a way as to favor one party.

  — Anne Applebaum

• Electoral manipulation affects competition and governance effectiveness.
• Gerrymandering leads to worse government and public services.
• Ensuring fair electoral districting is essential for democratic integrity.
• The effects of gerrymandering extend to public trust and political engagement.
• Addressing gerrymandering is crucial for improving governance quality.
• Political reform is needed to combat the negative impacts of gerrymandering.