Democracy Versus the Authoritarian Playbook

Watch for attempts to weaken the rule of law, undermine freedom of the press, and threaten institutions that ensure accountability, like courts. 

Authoritarian leaders often exploit societal divisions, using populist rhetoric to cast themselves as champions of “the people” against a corrupt elite, foreigners, or marginalized groups. 

Authoritarians manufacture and/or exploit crises because they know that during times of instability, people may be more willing to sacrifice freedoms for promises of security.

Once in power, authoritarian leaders often seek to centralize authority in the executive branch, bypassing or dismantling democratic institutions that could limit their control.

Authoritarians manipulate public opinion through propaganda, suppress dissent, and create an image of invincibility or victimhood. 

Authoritarians seek to manipulate electoral systems to ensure their victory, either through gerrymandering, voter suppression, or destabilizing the mechanisms that ensure free and fair elections.

Paramilitary groups or militias may be empowered and emboldened to carry out violence against ideological opponents or marginalized groups.

Regimes often center around a strong leader with a cult of personality. This leader is portrayed as the embodiment of the nation’s will, a savior capable of solving the country’s problems and leading it to greatness.

These regimes may push the country into conflict, both to distract from domestic issues and to solidify national unity. War can also be used as a tool to suppress dissent, rally the population, and justify crackdowns on civil liberties.

Undermining the role of NGOs, social movements, and any groups that could challenge state power are common tactics of authoritarian regimes. By limiting civil society, they reduce the capacity for collective action and resistance.

This includes reinforcing the rule of law, ensuring an independent judiciary, and protecting democratic checks and balances. Democracies are more likely to thrive when institutions are robust, transparent, and accountable. 

High levels of civic engagement, such as peaceful protests, public discourse, and voting, are vital for the health of a democracy. Encouraging participation across various demographics helps ensure that a broad cross-section of society has a voice in decision-making. Our nonprofit, nonpartisan affiliate, Galvanize USA’s foundational research shows us that building self-esteem and civic self-efficacy can support this type of healthy engagement among women. These are key facets of Galvanize USA’s digital community, Galvanize Together.

Educating citizens about their rights, the functioning of our civic system, and how to participate in democracy is critical. A well-informed population is less susceptible to manipulation and better able to make decisions that promote democratic ideals. Both Galvanize Action and Galvanize USA’s programming prioritizes helping women make sense of what is happening and builds their will and agency to defend democracy.  For an example, check out “Civics Teacher” from 2024.

Misinformation and disinformation can undermine public trust in democratic processes and institutions. Research suggests that promoting media literacy, regulating social media platforms, and supporting independent journalism are essential to countering the negative impacts of false or misleading information. That’s why it’s so important that Galvanize USA’s digital community combats disinformation by being a trusted source of good info.

Ensuring equitable access to the ballot for all citizens is crucial. Research has shown that voter suppression and disenfranchisement are major threats to democracy. Expanding voting access through measures like mail-in voting, early voting, and automatic voter registration helps protect the democratic process. While other organizations take the lead on this prong, Galvanize USA and Galvanize Action programming routinely builds support for and confidence in elections.

Research shows that democratic resilience is stronger when societies foster social cohesion, inclusion, and perceptions of linked fate that promote mutual adherence to the norms and social contracts upon which democracy depends. Democracies that marginalize certain groups are more vulnerable to unrest and authoritarian tendencies. This is part of why Galvanize USA and Galvanize Action’s research and programming around “us vs. them” and “othering” is critical to our strategies.

Democracies are strengthened when diverse views can be expressed and when people work together across ideological divides. Promoting dialogue, cooperation, and a culture of tolerance (as the barest of minimums) can reduce polarization and create a more stable democratic environment. 

Democracies function best when citizens feel economically secure. Research suggests that significant economic inequality can destabilize democracies, leading to dissatisfaction with civic systems and the rise of extremist movements. Policies that promote economic fairness can protect democratic systems by ensuring that people feel invested in and supported by their society. Galvanize Action found that the economy was the most common concern among moderate white women in 2024, and our economy ads effectively help support women make sense of what they deserve from our government and public officials.

Ensuring transparency in government and holding public leaders accountable through mechanisms like regular elections, checks on power, and the media is fundamental to protecting democracy. This prevents the concentration of power and the erosion of democratic norms. As part of our civic participation work, we help women recognize when democratic norms and ideals are being violated and take action.