New research from the Chicago Center on Democracy demonstrates a direct link between high levels of income and wealth inequality and the increased risk of democratic backsliding. This finding highlights the vulnerability of democracies to autocratic tendencies in the face of significant economic disparity.
The article emphasizes the upcoming US elections, suggesting that the Democratic Party's strategy of focusing on either the economy or the future of democracy is a false dichotomy. The research indicates that tackling economic inequality is key to preventing a potential slide towards autocracy, particularly in preventing a second Trump presidency.
The authors argue that the best approach for Democrats to counter the threat to democracy is to campaign on creating a fairer economy. This directly addresses the root cause identified by their research: high levels of income inequality.
New research shows that high levels of income and wealth inequality increase the risk of democratic backsliding. Given that the United States is a highly unequal society, the best way the Democrats can prevent a second Trump presidency – and the country’s descent into autocracy – is to campaign on creating a fairer economy.
CHICAGO – With November’s election in the United States fast approaching, Democrats continue to debate whether to campaign on the economy or the future of democracy. In fact, our research at the Chicago Center on Democracy shows that the two issues are closely connected: high levels of income inequality increase the risk of a democracy sliding into autocracy.
Skip the extension — just come straight here.
We’ve built a fast, permanent tool you can bookmark and use anytime.
Go To Paywall Unblock Tool