**Title: US Democracy Declines to 50-Year Low, New Report Reveals**
A recent study by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has found that democracy in the United States has reached its lowest point in 50 years. The report, released on Tuesday, highlights a significant deterioration in nearly half of the 30 measures used to evaluate US democratic practices, marking a decline not seen since the organization began its assessments in 1975.
The study indicates that the US is experiencing a pronounced period of democratic decline, which International IDEA describes as the “most prominent example and accelerator” of a wider global trend. The report notes that between 2020 and 2025, the US saw significant declines in seven key areas, including access to justice, economic equality, freedom of expression and the press, the effectiveness of Congress, and judicial independence.
International IDEA attributes much of this decline to the actions taken during the presidency of Donald Trump, particularly during his second term. The report claims that Trump concentrated power within the executive branch to advance personal objectives and retaliate against perceived adversaries, leading to “far-reaching” consequences both domestically and internationally.
Among the legislative actions cited, the report mentions Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," signed into law in July 2025, which reduced government support for lower-income Americans amid growing economic inequality. This decision has raised concerns about the government's commitment to addressing the needs of its most vulnerable citizens.
The study also examines the United States' international behavior, noting that Washington has leveraged its economic and military power to influence other nations. This includes attempts to sway elections in countries such as Argentina, Colombia, and Honduras, as well as threats of military intervention against nations like Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico. A notable example highlighted in the report is the US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, who was subsequently transferred to the US to face drug-trafficking charges. This operation is viewed as part of a broader strategy, referred to as the 'Donroe Doctrine,' aimed at maintaining US dominance in the Western Hemisphere through military means.
International IDEA further critiques the US-Israeli military actions against Iran, which commenced in February without evidence of imminent aggression from Iran. The report emphasizes that these actions were taken without congressional authorization and outside the collective-security frameworks established by the United Nations Charter. It argues that as the rule of law erodes domestically within the US, its foreign interventions similarly undermine the principle of peaceful dispute resolution.
The decline of US democracy is not an isolated phenomenon; it reflects a larger global downturn in democratic governance. The report notes that 57% of countries have experienced deterioration in at least one democratic measure between 2020 and 2025. This marks the 11th consecutive year in which more countries have declined than improved, the longest such trend since International IDEA began its assessments. Additionally, the number of violent conflicts worldwide reached 65 in 2025, the highest figure recorded since 1946.
The findings of this report raise critical questions about the state of democracy in the United States and its implications for global governance. As the US grapples with these challenges, the study suggests that both domestic and international actions must be carefully scrutinized to restore and uphold democratic principles.
The implications of this report are significant for policymakers, scholars, and citizens alike, as they reflect a growing concern about the health of democracy not only in the US but around the world. The need for reform and a renewed commitment to democratic values is underscored by the findings, which call for a collective effort to address these pressing issues in the years to come.