‘Right now, the U.S. is ceasing to be a democracy’

Donald Trump is currently transforming the U.S. into an authoritarian state, argues Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, author of “How Democracies Die.” And he is using an unexpected twist in the authoritarian playbook to do so.

DER SPIEGEL: Mr. Levitsky, U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to single-handedly abolish rights enshrined in the Constitution, is dissolving government institutions by decree and has begun talking about impeaching judges that would dare stand in his way. Is American democracy in danger?

Levitsky: We are currently witnessing the collapse of our democracy. Under Donald Trump, the U.S. is sliding into a form of authoritarianism. This will probably not be irreversible. But the fact is: Right now, the U.S. is ceasing to be a democracy.

DER SPIEGEL: What form of authoritarianism are you talking about?

Levitsky: I call it competitive authoritarianism: Formal democratic institutions will be maintained, but the democratic substance is eroding. There is still democratic competition, but it is unfair because the incumbents are manipulating the game in their favor using state resources. We probably won’t see tanks in the streets, our Constitution will remain in place, the opposition will not bebanned, and elections will be held again. But in those elections, there will no longer be a level playing field between Republicans and Democrats.