Trump Governs Using Competitive Authoritarianism And Corruption

In this analysis, the author argues President Donald Trump is governing by decree, using prosecutions, deportations, patronage, and public self-branding to concentrate power and reward allies. Experts surveyed reject strict labels like totalitarian or fascist but identify "competitive authoritarianism"—elections and institutions endure while opposition faces legal and economic disadvantages. The piece warns these hybrid tactics asymmetrically advantage the incumbent without fully dismantling democratic structures.