As Donald Trump, the former US President, considers a possible return to the White House, worries about the decline of Western liberal democracy have grown. Experts contend that his leadership style characterized by executive overreach, contempt for democratic institutions, and an increasing polarization of American politics could hasten the decline of democratic institutions not only in America but in the Western world in general. While populist leaders gain momentum all over the world, the fate of democratic rule is uncertain. One of the most concerning trends of Trump’s presidency was the growth of executive authority at the expense of conventional checks and balances.
His attempts to undermine the judiciary, politicize law enforcement, and dispute election outcomes established a precedent that critics argue undermines the democratic system. If reelected, Trump has indicated that he will further centralize power, which will fuel concerns that the United States will move towards a more authoritarian form of governance, with implications for Western democracy in the long term. Trump’s impact goes beyond the United States, emboldening his nationalist, anti-establishment populist counterparts in Europe and elsewhere. From Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to France’s far-right movements, former president policies and messaging have become a blueprint for political figures who seek to weaken democratic norms in favor of centralized authority.
Erosion of institutions—such as an independent press, judicial oversight, and legislative scrutiny—has raised alarms about the survival of democratic values in an era of growing authoritarianism. While some argue that Trump’s presidency was an aberration rather than a sign of democratic collapse, others warn that his impact has reshaped global politics permanently. If liberal democracy is to withstand these pressures, it will require stronger institutions, public trust in governance, and a commitment to democratic principles. Whether Trump’s impact brings about a fundamental realignment away from democracy—or a fresh reassertion of its essential values—remains perhaps the most urgent question of our era.
