Is Democracy Dying?

Investigating a perilous moment

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This work was commissioned, produced, and edited by The Atlantic's editorial staff. Support for this work was provided in part by the organizations listed here.

Support for coverage of governance and democracy has been provided by the Madison Initiative of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Illustration: a clenched fist collage
Illustration: Mike McQuade; Janek Skarzynski / AFP / Getty; Kacper Pempel / Reuters

A Warning From Europe: The Worst Is Yet to Come

Polarization. Conspiracy theories. Attacks on the free press. An obsession with loyalty. Recent events in the United States follow a pattern Europeans know all too well.

Yoshi Sodeoka

Why Technology Favors Tyranny

Artificial intelligence could erase many practical advantages of democracy, and erode the ideals of liberty and equality. It will further concentrate power among a small elite if we don’t take steps to stop it.