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When Putin took power in 2000, russia had elections, a constitution, and a separation of powers.
Today, those same structures exist on paper — but they mean nothing. Putin rules absolutely.
And yes, Donald Trump admires him.

4/ So how do we know when a democracy is backsliding?
Every intro-level political science student learns the warning signs.
Here are a few I teach in my classroom:

5/ When Congress yields to the President.
Our system was built on checks and balances.
But if Congress

becomes silent or complicit, that balance breaks — as it did in russia, when Putin sidelined dissenters and filled parliament with loyalists.
Sound familiar?

6/ When corporatism is normalized.
In backsliding states, oligarchs thrive if they support the leader. Critics are exiled or jailed.
Here? Think tax cuts for the ultra-rich, media consolidation, and regulatory favors — all benefiting Trump’s allies.

7/ When the Constitution becomes optional.
Rule of law isn’t a suggestion —

it’s the backbone of democracy.
But we’ve already seen moments when Trump flouted the Constitution — and faced little consequence.
That alone should’ve been disqualifying.

8/ When internal enemies are manufactured.
Autocrats stay in power by creating enemies — minorities, immigrants, the press, historic allies.
It's about fear. Division. “Protecting” the nation from threats that don’t exist.

9/ When loyalty shifts from country to one man.
Public servants swear oaths to the Constitution —

not to a person.
But when law enforcement, military, and elected officials show fealty to one leader, democracy is on life support.

10/ Here’s the hardest truth:

If democracy dies in America, it won’t be in secret.
It won’t be a coup in the night.
It’ll happen slowly. Legally. In broad daylight. With our permission.

11/ Democracy isn’t self-sustaining.
It requires us to choose it — again and again.
Not with platitudes. But with vigilance, accountability, and courage.
We still have time.