US democratic decline threatens global rule of law, IDEA report warns

September 15, 2026 at 08:52 PM2 min

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Nearly half of US democracy indicators have fallen to 50-year lows, accelerating a global decline in the rule of law, according to a new report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. The report, released Tuesday, describes the US as the 'most prominent example and accelerator' of the trend, warning that its democratic erosion is having consequences far beyond its borders. The findings come as 57 percent of countries worldwide declined in at least one key democratic indicator between 2020 and 2025.

Key Facts

Nearly half of US democracy indicators hit 50-year lows, according to the International IDEA report released Tuesday.
Globally, 57 percent of countries declined in at least one key democratic indicator between 2020 and 2025.
Judicial independence worldwide has fallen to a 36-year low, and credible elections are at their lowest level in 30 years.
The US recorded seven statistically significant declines between 2020 and 2025, including in access to justice, freedom of expression, press freedom, and judicial independence.
International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora said the rapid decline of democracy in the US is weakening judicial independence and fragmenting the international system.

US Democratic Erosion

The International IDEA report describes the US as the 'most prominent example and accelerator' of global democratic decline. President Donald Trump quickly amassed power in the executive branch and wielded it to further personal goals and pursue retaliation against perceived enemies, the report stated. The US recorded seven statistically significant declines between 2020 and 2025, including in access to justice, freedom of expression, press freedom, and judicial independence. The report warns that the environment is marked by constricted space for public expression and institutional checks on power, making resistance increasingly unsafe.

Global Consequences

The report argues that US retreat from democratic norms has strained multilateral institutions and emboldened authoritarian leaders elsewhere. It points to Brazil and Serbia as examples, saying the aftermath of Brazil's 2022 election echoed the aftermath of the 2020 US election. In Serbia, officials cited Trump's claims of mismanagement at USAID to justify raids on civil society organisations. International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora said the rapid decline of democracy in the US is weakening judicial independence and fragmenting the international system, threatening democracy around the world.