Quiz: Is Your Democracy Sliding Into Authoritarianism?

Democratic backsliding quiz

How to Tell If You’re Living Through Democratic Backsliding

Democracy rarely disappears all at once. It erodes in pieces: attacks on the press, weakened courts, scapegoating, intimidation, corruption, and the steady concentration of power. This quiz is an educational tool designed to highlight common warning signs associated with authoritarianism.

Question 1 of 12

1. Are journalists, news outlets, or critics regularly attacked, threatened, or punished for reporting the truth?

2. Do political leaders describe opponents as enemies, traitors, vermin, or threats to the nation rather than fellow citizens with different views?

3. Are courts, judges, or the rule of law being ignored, weakened, or treated as obstacles to one leader’s agenda?

4. Are certain groups of people being scapegoated and blamed for society’s problems in order to stir up fear or support?

5. Are peaceful protests, dissent, or activism being suppressed, demonized, or met with excessive force?

6. Is there pressure to make schools, libraries, universities, or public institutions avoid certain facts, histories, or viewpoints?

7. Are elections undermined through disinformation, voter suppression, intimidation, or efforts to overturn legitimate results?

8. Are government agencies, law enforcement, or the military being used in ways that seem designed to protect one leader or target critics?

9. Are corruption, self-dealing, or special treatment for loyal insiders treated as normal or ignored?

10. Are people becoming afraid to speak openly about politics, rights, or the government because they fear retaliation?

11. Is power becoming more concentrated in one leader, one party, or a small loyal circle with fewer real checks and balances?

12. Are truth, expertise, and evidence constantly dismissed and replaced with propaganda, conspiracy theories, or loyalty tests?