A sobering message from a history teacher:
I’ve spent years teaching American and international government — from strong democracies like the UK to authoritarian regimes like russia and China.
But lately, the most alarming lesson comes from home.
1/n
I’ve spent years teaching American and international government — from strong democracies like the UK to authoritarian regimes like russia and China.
But lately, the most alarming lesson comes from home.
1/n
2/ One thing I always tell my students:
Democracy doesn’t collapse overnight.
There’s no moment where a leader says, “I’m a dictator now.”
The fall is gradual. Legal. Publicly tolerated. And often cheered on by millions.
Democracy doesn’t collapse overnight.
There’s no moment where a leader says, “I’m a dictator now.”
The fall is gradual. Legal. Publicly tolerated. And often cheered on by millions.
3/ Take russia.
When Putin took power in 2000, russia had elections, a constitution, and a separation of powers.
Today, those same structures exist on paper — but they mean nothing. Putin rules absolutely.
And yes, Donald Trump admires him.
When Putin took power in 2000, russia had elections, a constitution, and a separation of powers.
Today, those same structures exist on paper — but they mean nothing. Putin rules absolutely.
And yes, Donald Trump admires him.
4/ So how do we know when a democracy is backsliding?
Every intro-level political science student learns the warning signs.
Here are a few I teach in my classroom:
Every intro-level political science student learns the warning signs.
Here are a few I teach in my classroom:
5/ When Congress yields to the President.
Our system was built on checks and balances.
But if Congress becomes silent or complicit, that balance breaks — as it did in russia, when Putin sidelined dissenters and filled parliament with loyalists.
Sound familiar?
Our system was built on checks and balances.
But if Congress becomes silent or complicit, that balance breaks — as it did in russia, when Putin sidelined dissenters and filled parliament with loyalists.
Sound familiar?
6/ When corporatism is normalized.
In backsliding states, oligarchs thrive if they support the leader. Critics are exiled or jailed.
Here? Think tax cuts for the ultra-rich, media consolidation, and regulatory favors — all benefiting Trump’s allies.
In backsliding states, oligarchs thrive if they support the leader. Critics are exiled or jailed.
Here? Think tax cuts for the ultra-rich, media consolidation, and regulatory favors — all benefiting Trump’s allies.
7/ When the Constitution becomes optional.
Rule of law isn’t a suggestion — it’s the backbone of democracy.
But we’ve already seen moments when Trump flouted the Constitution — and faced little consequence.
That alone should’ve been disqualifying.
Rule of law isn’t a suggestion — it’s the backbone of democracy.
But we’ve already seen moments when Trump flouted the Constitution — and faced little consequence.
That alone should’ve been disqualifying.
8/ When internal enemies are manufactured.
Autocrats stay in power by creating enemies — minorities, immigrants, the press, historic allies.
It's about fear. Division. “Protecting” the nation from threats that don’t exist.
Autocrats stay in power by creating enemies — minorities, immigrants, the press, historic allies.
It's about fear. Division. “Protecting” the nation from threats that don’t exist.
9/ When loyalty shifts from country to one man.
Public servants swear oaths to the Constitution — not to a person.
But when law enforcement, military, and elected officials show fealty to one leader, democracy is on life support.
Public servants swear oaths to the Constitution — not to a person.
But when law enforcement, military, and elected officials show fealty to one leader, democracy is on life support.
10/ Here’s the hardest truth:
If democracy dies in America, it won’t be in secret.
It won’t be a coup in the night.
It’ll happen slowly. Legally. In broad daylight. With our permission.
If democracy dies in America, it won’t be in secret.
It won’t be a coup in the night.
It’ll happen slowly. Legally. In broad daylight. With our permission.
11/ Democracy isn’t self-sustaining.
It requires us to choose it — again and again.
Not with platitudes. But with vigilance, accountability, and courage.
We still have time. But not forever.
It requires us to choose it — again and again.
Not with platitudes. But with vigilance, accountability, and courage.
We still have time. But not forever.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
