Summary and Analysis: "The Path to American Authoritarianism" By Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way

 

Summary and Analysis: "The Path to American Authoritarianism"

By Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way

Summary
Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, renowned political scientists, argue that the United States is moving closer to a genuine risk of democratic breakdown, and they outline how authoritarianism might take hold after such a collapse. Unlike a sudden military coup or an overt dictatorship, the U.S. could fall into what the authors describe as “competitive authoritarianism”—a system where elections still occur, but the ruling party undermines fairness, the judiciary, and the media to entrench power (Levitsky & Way, 2024).

The authors draw comparisons between the U.S. and historical cases like Hungary, Turkey, Venezuela, and Russia, where illiberal regimes maintain a democratic façade but subvert checks and balances. They stress that while American institutions are robust, they are not immune. They cite Republican Party radicalization, declining trust in democratic norms, and increasing political violence as worrying signs.

A key insight is that authoritarianism in the U.S. wouldn’t resemble 20th-century fascism, but would likely evolve within a legal framework. The transition could begin through a legitimate electoral win by a party that then weakens institutions—such as the judiciary, media, or civil service—while sidelining opponents (Levitsky & Way, 2024).

Analysis
Levitsky and Way’s thesis builds on their earlier work in How Democracies Die (2018), extending their warning to the near future of American politics. The American exceptionalism argument—believing “it can’t happen here”—is directly challenged. They show how the slow erosion of democratic norms is not unique to fragile states, but possible even in long-standing democracies when partisan identity becomes more important than democratic principles.

Importantly, they do not predict an immediate collapse, but instead a slow democratic backsliding that could accelerate with a second term of leadership aligned with anti-democratic values. This decline could be exacerbated by a loss of public confidence, selective law enforcement, or gerrymandering that makes elections unfair.

The piece emphasizes that institutional strength depends on political actors honoring norms, not just laws. Without bipartisan commitment to democracy, institutions can be co-opted. The authors warn that a shift toward authoritarianism would harm civil liberties, particularly those of minorities and dissenters, and lead to deepening polarization.

Their article is a call to vigilance, urging Americans to recognize warning signs and defend democratic principles—even when the erosion is legal and incremental.

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Conclusion

Levitsky and Way’s article serves as a wake-up call. While the United States still functions as a democracy, the authors stress that the trajectory of political polarization, authoritarian-style rhetoric, and declining institutional trust could undermine that foundation. Protecting democracy, they argue, depends on public awareness, cross-partisan cooperation, and civic action to uphold democratic values beyond just voting.

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References

Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2024). The path to American authoritarianism: What comes after democratic breakdown. Foreign Affairs. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/path-american-authoritarianism