Threats to Democratic Institutions
Threats to democratic institutions are pressures that could weaken the bodies that make a democracy function, such as courts, legislatures, elections, the civil service, and a free press. They may come from inside government or outside it. Checks and balances, written laws, and unwritten norms are meant to guard against them.
People usually ask what happens when one branch ignores another, how political leaders use investigations and prosecutions, and what makes rules hold. They also ask how scholars measure the health of a democracy, and how changes in election rules affect trust.
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Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
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All Articles on Threats to Democratic Institutions
Political Scientists Rate the U.S. Closer to ‘Illiberal’ Democracy
A group of political scientists has delivered a stark assessment of American democracy. Bright Line Watch, composed of academics from institutions like the University…
The Legal and Political Risks of Prosecuting James Comey
James Comey’s prosecutions raise questions about evidence, political pressure, prosecutor appointments, public costs and the safeguards courts apply.
Why States Are Abandoning Traditional Redistricting Rules
The year 2025 marks a sharp break from the century-old norm of once-a-decade redistricting. From Austin to Sacramento, a fierce political battle has erupted…
Is Political Violence Rising in America?
The gunshot that killed Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 sparked renewed concern about the state of American political violence.…
What Happens When Presidents Ignore Supreme Court Orders?
The US Constitution designs a government of separated powers, distributing authority among three co-equal branches. Congress makes laws, the President enforces them, and the…
How the Trump Administration Might Investigate Former Administrations
Trump administration investigations of former officials involve criminal evidence, presidential immunity, oversight powers and limits on political targeting.
The Norms and Consequences of Investigating a Presidential Predecessor
Donald Trump has explicitly promised a campaign of retribution against his predecessors and political rivals. This targeting of political opponents has become a central…