The article discusses the long-term decline of democracy, emphasizing how populist leaders such as Hugo Chavez and Donald Trump exploited democratic processes to consolidate power. Sociologist Larry Diamond identifies a widespread trend of emerging electoral autocracies, characterized by illiberal tactics outlined in his '12-step program.' Despite warnings regarding the threat this posed to democracy, particularly in the U.S., they were largely ignored until drastic actions occurred, such as the January 6 Capitol riot. Diamond reflects on the alarming dismantling of democratic institutions under Trump's administration.
"There was a pattern of illiberal strategies and common denominators, a playbook Diamond termed the autocrat's 12-step program."
"In 2019, while Trump still had a chance of winning the 2020 election, he warned that a second term could be even more extreme and damaging to democracy."
"The authoritarian virus had not yet infected the great democracies of the West, but few took the threat seriously."
"The frenetic pace at which the president and his team are dismantling the country's governing apparatus is difficult to process even for someone like Diamond."
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