The United States has seen its democratic performance decline to the lowest levels recorded in the last 50 years, according to a comprehensive global report released by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. Dr. Seema Shah, who leads the organization's democracy assessment team, noted that researchers have tracked a consistent global pattern of decline, characterized by significant drops in metrics related to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, the effectiveness of parliaments, and the credibility of elections.
While Dr. Shah observed that undemocratic trends have historically been self-correcting over the five decades the institute has compiled its survey, the current situation appears increasingly dire. She highlighted a growing willingness among populations to entertain non-democratic governance or leadership models as a particularly concerning development. Among the nations evaluated, the United States was singled out as the most prominent example of this democratic erosion.
The report details that in 2025, President Donald Trump rapidly consolidated power within the executive branch, utilizing it to pursue personal objectives and retaliate against perceived adversaries. These actions have had broad implications, testing multilateral cooperation and long-standing alliances while undermining the rule of law both domestically and on the international stage. Dr. Shah emphasized that the U.S., once considered a bastion of judicial independence and democratic governance, no longer maintains that historical role. She added that current administrative policies are not only harming domestic democratic institutions but also weakening global norms and providing justification for other non-democratic leaders.
Furthermore, the study indicates that democratic values are no longer central to U.S. foreign policy or the foundation for new international alliances. The specialized democratic aid programs that the U.S. previously provided to developing nations have been dismantled. President Trump has previously signaled this shift, notably criticizing past administrations at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for being overly interventionist and asserting that the U.S. would cease lecturing other countries on how to conduct their internal affairs.
Domestically, the U.S. has experienced declines in nearly half of the 30 indicators measured by the organization. This global trend is widespread, with 57% of all countries surveyed showing a decline in at least one key democratic performance indicator, with the rule of law emerging as the weakest area globally. Regarding the potential for recovery, Dr. Shah noted that research suggests a depressing reality: in 90% of cases where a country experiences a democratic U-turn or resurgence, it suffers another decline within five years. She explained that candidates who promise change often fail to deliver because the remnants of the previous guard obstruct progress, leaving leaders with few options other than breaking democratic laws to achieve their goals.
But what about countries that have seen a resurgence of democracy — places like Poland, Hungary and Syria in recent years?
