President-elect Donald Trump’s slate of cabinet nominees represent an upending of high standards for appointments at this level and are evidence of rising authoritarianism in the U.S.
Trump has been clear in his desire to move the U.S. towards a more authoritarian system, where executive power is made as expansive as possible. As scholars on the topic have pointed out, the road to authoritarianism is paved with specific markers. These include rewarding loyalists and punishing defectors; demonizing opponents and media; destroying checks and balances; spreading lies and conspiracies; creating distrust in our institutions; and using fearmongering and hate speech to consolidate solidarity.
Read the full article.
