ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by breakfastmtn@piefed.ca to c/politics@lemmy.world

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Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.

The crackdown on dissent and speech in Minnesota this winter follows a pattern that is common in countries that slide from democracy to autocracy: A leader enacts a legally dubious policy. Citizens protest that policy. The government responds with intimidation and force. When people are hurt, the government blames them and lies about what happened.

The New York Times editorial board published an index in October tracking 12 categories of democratic erosion, based on historical patterns and interviews with experts. Our index places the United States on a scale of 0 to 10 for each category. Zero represents the United States before President Trump began his second term — not perfect, surely, but one of the world’s healthiest democracies. Ten represents the condition in a true autocracy, such as China, Iran or Russia.

MBFC
Archive

Edit: Adding the metrics that aren't visible in the archived copy.

Stifling speech and dissent 4/10
Persecuting political opponents 5/10
Bypassing the legislature 4/10
Defying the courts 2/10
Declaring false emergencies 5/10
Using the military at home 2/10
Vilifying marginalized groups 6/10
Controlling information 2/10
Trying to take over universities 2/10
Creating a cult of personality 6/10
Using power for personal profit 7/10
Manipulating the law to stay in power 2/10

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[-] 0ops@piefed.zip 24 points 3 days ago

ICE ~~and~~ in Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy

Fucking trying to blame the victim

[-] breakfastmtn@piefed.ca 3 points 3 days ago

I think you might be letting ICE off the hook here though. It's not just their activity in Minnesota that's the problem. It's all of it, isn't it?

[-] 0ops@piefed.zip 1 points 3 days ago

[-] Insekticus@aussie.zone 13 points 3 days ago

Closer??? What a stupid headline. America is already there unless you're dumb, blind, and not paying attention.

[-] Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I get where you're coming from, but this isn't actually helpful. The first step in solving a problem is accurately defining the problem.

America is not an autocracy - yet. And that distinction matters. America has a fascist administration that is working very hard to turn it into an autocracy. But they're not there yet. So why would you willingly award them a victory they haven't achieved?

The basics of winning any defensive battle are to make your enemy pay in blood for every inch of ground they gain. Don't cede that territory without a fight. If the defenders of democracy in America win this, it will be because they wore the Trump administration down, turned every single one of their little fascist power plays into a battle. And if you pay attention to what's really going on, you'll see that that's exactly what's happening. Trump's engine of autocracy is constantly sputtering and stalling out. That doesn't mean they're failing, but it means they can fail, if the pressure on them is kept up.

[+] breakfastmtn@piefed.ca -9 points 3 days ago

You think things in the US, China, Russia, and Iran are exactly the same?

[-] not_that_guy05@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago

Seems like Iran and the US are mirroring each other with shooting at protestors, but that's just me.

[-] breakfastmtn@piefed.ca 2 points 3 days ago

It's dumb to pretend there's no continuum of autocratic control. Russia and China don't have legislative disputes over funding shit. They don't fail to indict their enemies. They don't fail to convict anyone. They don't have stories published in the media that are critical of Dear Leader.

Total autocracies have complete control over the executive, legislature, courts, police, military, and media. The US is quickly moving in the wrong direction along that path, but it's bananas to say they're "already there."

[-] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I agree. The US is now highly authoritarian but not yet autocratic. Although many formerly independent institutions are more or less autocratic. The executive branch, many media outlets, and most of congress are now virtually puppets of the president. However, the courts, other media outlets, citizens, educational institutions, most state and local governments, and the minority faction in congress remain at least somewhat independent.

[-] breakfastmtn@piefed.ca 3 points 3 days ago

Exactly. Everything this administration does is also a meme to appear strong. I don't think we should accept the story they're selling or declare victories for them they haven't won.

I think even their legislative control is far weaker than many realize. Yes, the Republicans are cowardly, traitorous fucks who've abdicated their responsibilities. But they're also not really passing legislation. The majority of their policies have come through ephemeral executive orders because they couldn't pass them. They haven't really tried because it would expose that weakness and their most important priority is appearing strong. They would if they could. Repealing law is difficult, reversing executive orders is just a signature.

[-] adhd_traco@piefed.social 7 points 3 days ago

It kinda sucks that the sliders for their metrics didn't carry over on the archive version, since without it the article is pretty empty.

I also find the title rage inducing. Yeah, it's not exactly a surprise either. But still pretty fucked up when Minnesota showed (and continues to) something very powerful facing this shit, rather than just being part of the story. I'd argue their actions even hold weight against moving towards autocracy with in their little slider thingies.

[-] breakfastmtn@piefed.ca 3 points 3 days ago

Thanks. Good catch! I'll add them to the post.

[-] adhd_traco@piefed.social 3 points 3 days ago

Thank you! :)

[-] AshMan85@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

The nazi administration is the problem. Ice is just the gestapo

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

No mention of the demented rapist that did this, huh NYT? Yeah. Classic NYT.

this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2026

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