Arabic version: استطلاع جديد يكشف عن تدهور حالة الديمقراطية الأمريكية

The health of American democracy has settled into a diminished state, according to a recent survey by the non-partisan project Bright Line Watch. The findings indicate that while there has been a slight recovery from last year’s sharp decline, democratic health remains significantly lower than before Donald Trump’s second term began.

According to The Guardian, the survey, which has been tracking the views of US scholars since 2017, shows a complex picture. Experts rated US democratic health at 60 on a scale of 100, up from a record low of 53, but this rating slipped back to 56 and remained consistent in the second survey at 57. The fluctuations in ratings were linked to major political events, including Trump’s immigration policies and military actions abroad.

Despite the slight uptick in ratings, the overall outlook for US democracy appears bleak. Experts project that American democracy will remain at roughly its current level through 2027, with only gradual improvement expected over the next decade. The report highlights a pessimism bias among political scientists, and many believe that a Democratic victory in the upcoming midterms could serve as a necessary check on Trump’s administration.

The Bright Line Watch findings align with other recent assessments that have noted a decline in democratic norms during Trump’s presidency. Researchers expressed alarm over Trump’s actions, with a significant majority viewing his demands for legal actions against political opponents and comments on voting rights as threats to democracy. Public sentiment, however, shows a divided response along partisan lines, with many Republicans supporting Trump’s controversial actions.

Overall, while some experts see signs of stabilization in US democracy, the path to recovery remains uncertain, reflecting deep divisions within the political landscape.