A recent report from the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project highlights a significant decline in the state of democracy in the United States, indicating that it has regressed to levels comparable to those seen in 1965. This decline has been likened to the erosion of democratic principles seen over a decade in Turkey under President Erdogan. Expert Staffan I Lindberg notes that this alarming trend sets up a critical juncture for the U.S. during the upcoming midterm elections in November, suggesting that the implications of this deterioration could have far-reaching consequences for the nation's political landscape.

The report details that the U.S. has dropped from 24th place in the previous year's rankings to 51st in the 2025 edition, out of a total of 179 assessed countries. This rapid decline is reflected in the liberal democracy index (LDI) score, which fell from 0.75 points in the previous year to 0.57 this year. This dip in democratic health is notable, as it mirrors similar declines experienced in countries like Hungary under Viktor Orbán, where similarly damaging changes took place over several years.

Overall, the findings of the V-Dem report provide a stark warning about the current trajectory of American democracy. Experts suggest that the midterms could serve as a critical test for American democratic institutions, as voters navigate the implications of this democratic backsliding. The report serves not only as an evaluation of current political conditions but also as a call to action for the preservation and strengthening of democratic values in the U.S.