What Can Reverse Democratic Decline?
Steven Levitsky | Foreign Affairs, January/February 2026
In The Price of American Authoritarianism, Steven Levitsky examines the erosion of democratic norms in the United States and the long-term risks it poses both domestically and internationally. Rather than portraying American democracy as collapsed, the article argues that it has entered a period of sustained institutional strain.
Gradual Democratic Erosion
Levitsky explains that democratic decline rarely happens overnight. Instead, it unfolds gradually through the weakening of informal norms, increased polarization, and the normalization of rule-breaking behavior. Legal institutions may remain intact; however, their spirit can deteriorate.
Moreover, competitive authoritarian tendencies emerge when political actors test the limits of electoral rules and institutional safeguards. Over time, these actions can erode trust in democratic processes without formally dismantling them.
The Costs of Democratic Backsliding
The article emphasizes that democratic erosion carries both domestic and global consequences. Internally, polarization deepens and governance becomes unstable. Externally, the United States risks losing credibility as a defender of democratic values.
At the same time, democratic backsliding does not mean inevitability. Institutions such as courts, civil society, and federal structures continue to provide resilience. The durability of these mechanisms will shape the country’s trajectory.
What Can Reverse the Decline?
Levitsky argues that reversing democratic erosion requires more than electoral victory. Structural reforms, renewed commitment to democratic norms, and cross-partisan restraint are essential.
Ultimately, the article presents democratic resilience as possible but not guaranteed. The future of American democracy depends on institutional repair and sustained civic commitment.
Reference
Levitsky, S. (2026). The price of American authoritarianism: What can reverse democratic decline? Foreign Affairs, 105(1). https://www.foreignaffairs.com/