Armitage: Between democracy and dictatorship

According to Steven Levitsky, the US is now a competitive authoritarianism. 

"It means formal democratic institutions remain 'the primary means of gaining power' but rules get violated so systematically that the regime fails minimum democratic standards. Elections still happen. Opposition parties exist. Courts function. Media operates. But all of these operate on a playing field tilted so severely that calling it democratic becomes inaccurate."

"Scheppele documents how Hungary provided the blueprint. She identifies direct coordination between Viktor Orbán’s team and Project 2025. The script involves defunding opponents, purging civil service, and threatening media with economic sanctions. She calls this 'autocratic legalism,' using legal mechanisms to systematically dismantle accountability institutions."

So what can we do?

"State-level resistance using every legal mechanism available. Refusing state cooperation with unconstitutional federal overreach by banning local agencies from assisting federal operations that violate civil liberties. Creating or strengthening state safety nets to replace federal benefits under threat, including Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP. Establishing state-owned financial institutions like North Dakota’s public bank to protect funding and independence. Pushing for or joining multi-state compacts to coordinate healthcare, civil rights defense, infrastructure, and disaster response. Leveraging tax dollars by stopping subsidies to failed red state governance and redirecting funds to protect state residents." 

All of which requires each of us a citizens to keep up relentless pressure on our representatives. The recent mass protests must continue as well as our individual efforts. We still have a chance to prevent the next stage, consolidated authoritarianism. But that will require ALL of us doing something about it.

PS: He lists some State reps at the end who are already active in this agenda.