Can American democracy survive its authoritarian fascination for Donald Trump?
Should the Republican nominee win in November, the precedents set by his previous term for America’s democratic institutions could become the new normal.
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The 2024 United States presidential election presents a paradox that has left many Democrats and political observers both alarmed and baffled: Donald Trump remains a favourite to reclaim the presidency despite having been convicted of felonies, facing numerous criminal charges, openly advocating the use of military force against political opponents and promoting authoritarian policies.
Even more perplexing is the fact that a significant portion of the American electorate not only tolerates his strongman tactics but embraces them. When asked by a CNN news anchor why Trump is gaining support, Democratic politician Hillary Clinton responded that many American voters “find him to be a strong man, and that is very attractive”.
Why is this happening in a nation that prides itself on being the "world’s greatest democracy"?
Trump’s rise to prominence has reignited an often overlooked truth about American politics: there is a significant authoritarian strain in the country’s political DNA. A report from the Pew Research Center in February found that 32% of Americans believe an authoritarian leader – someone who can make decisions without interference from parliament or the courts – would be a good way to govern the country. By comparison, just 8% in Sweden said they believed this was desirable.
This reflects a broader global...
