The U.S. is Now a "Competitive Authoritarian Regime" with Professor of Democracy Lucan Way

In this episode, host Dustyn Lanz speaks with Lucan Way, Distinguished Professor of Democracy at the University of Toronto, to explore the current state of democracy and authoritarianism in the United States. They discuss the definitions of democracy and authoritarianism, the concept of competitive authoritarianism, and the alarming trends observed in U.S. politics. Professor Way asserts that the United States is “unambiguously” a competitive authoritarian state. The conversation also touches on the global landscape of democracy, the importance of supporting professional journalism, and the actions individuals can take to champion democracy. Ultimately, the discussion seeks to find hope amidst the challenges facing democratic institutions.Key Takeaways:Democracy is more than just free & fair elections; it includes civil liberties.Complacency can lead to a lack of imagination regarding democracy's fragility.Competitive authoritarianism features genuine elections but systematic authoritarian behaviour.The U.S. has quickly descended into competitive authoritarianism.Supporting independent media is vital for democracy's health.Fact-checking and professional journalism are essential for a shared reality.Countries like Brazil and Poland have successfully reversed authoritarian trends.The anger and energy of the electorate can lead to transformation.Democracy in the U.S. is not dead yet; there is still hope for change.