Is the U.S. slipping into 'Competitive Authoritarianism?'

[Dulcinea]

(NPR) What kind of political system do we have in America these days?

Some experts say the United States is no longer a liberal democracy, but operating under a system called "competitive authoritarianism."

For this installment of NPR's Word of the Week, we explore the term's origin story and how it is being applied in a way those who came up with it never imagined.

If you're not familiar with the term, here is a basic definition: Competitive authoritarian countries have democratic rules and hold competitive elections, but the party in charge uses various tactics to tilt the electoral playing field in its favor to maintain power.

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/nx-s1-5816313/word-of-week-competitive-authoritarianism