It’s Time.
The Five Things We Must Do Now to Stop America’s Slide into Authoritarianism
By Peter T. Coleman
America is not immune. For years we believed our institutions were too strong, our culture too free, and our Constitution too sacred to let authoritarianism take root here. But history doesn’t care about our sense of exceptionalism. And in 2025, it’s clear: the slide has begun.
We see it in the normalization of political violence. In the brazen dismantling of checks and balances. In efforts to delegitimize elections and control the judiciary. In the targeting of journalists, educators, immigrants, and political opponents. This is what democratic backsliding looks like — not with tanks in the streets, but with judges confirmed, norms eroded, and lies repeated until truth buckles.
But this is not inevitable. The most powerful antidote to authoritarianism is not a charismatic politician or a perfect Supreme Court ruling. It’s us — ordinary citizens, strategically organized, courageously engaged. Here are five steps we must take now, while we still can:
1. Unite Across Divides — Before It’s Too Late
The greatest mistake we can make is treating the defense of democracy as a partisan issue. Democracy must not be the brand of the left, or the right. It must be the common ground beneath us all.
That means pro-democracy conservatives and liberals must come together, not to erase differences, but to prioritize freedom and rule of law over party loyalty. We need military veterans standing alongside climate activists, clergy marching with students, small business owners joining with labor unions. It happened in Poland in the 1980s, and in South Korea in the ’90s. It can happen here.
Shared identity is key. Let’s stop talking about being “anti-Trump” or “anti-woke” — and start talking about being pro-democracy.
2. Embrace Nonviolent Resistance
Authoritarians thrive when people feel hopeless and afraid. But nonviolent resistance — when done right — is the most powerful force against tyranny ever recorded.
Research by political scientist Erica Chenoweth shows that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones. Why? Because they draw mass participation and split the pillars of power — especially security forces and bureaucrats.
We need to prepare now: mass training, rapid-response networks, and nationwide mobilization strategies for red-line moments (such as the criminalization of protest or the nullification of elections). If tens of thousands of citizens across every state are ready to walk out, strike, or sit in — peacefully but firmly — when authoritarian lines are crossed, it becomes far harder for would-be tyrants to consolidate power.
3. Build Local Democracy Hubs
The most effective resistance isn’t centralized — it’s networked. We need civic “fire brigades” in every county in America. These are not partisan campaign offices. They are permanent local hubs where people gather to learn organizing skills, track threats to democratic norms, and connect across divides.
These hubs should offer workshops on spotting disinformation, organizing peaceful protest, engaging in dialogue across difference, and defending local institutions like school boards and election offices. Think of them as a fusion of the best of Indivisible, Braver Angels, and your local Rotary Club.
Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It needs infrastructure. Let’s build it from the bottom up.
4. Pressure the Institutions That Still Work
Not all institutions have failed us — yet. But many are under siege. That’s why mass civic pressure must be targeted and strategic.
Business leaders must be challenged to withdraw support from candidates who undermine democracy. Military leaders must reaffirm their allegiance to the Constitution, not to any individual. Courts and media must be held to high standards, with watchdog campaigns demanding transparency and accountability.
This isn’t about screaming into the void. It’s about coordinated, disciplined action — boycotts, petitions, op-eds, legal challenges — aimed at institutions that can still tip the balance toward freedom or tyranny.
5. Win the Narrative War
Democracy lives or dies in the stories we tell.
If people believe democracy is already lost, they won’t fight for it. If they believe their neighbors are the enemy, they’ll turn to strongmen for safety. We must flood the zone with narratives that spark hope, courage, and moral clarity.
That means elevating pro-democracy voices on TikTok and YouTube. It means funding independent journalism and storytelling that humanizes the stakes. It means music, art, comedy, and film that reminds us of who we are — and what we’re capable of when we stand together.
We need to make democracy not just a system of government — but a culture worth celebrating and defending.
The Window Is Closing — But Not Closed
There is still time to turn the tide. But time is running short. The longer we wait, the harder it gets.
Stopping authoritarianism in America will not be easy. It will take courage, sacrifice, and discipline. But we are not starting from scratch. We have history, strategy, and each other. We just need to organize — and believe again in the promise of a free people standing tall against tyranny.
As the Polish dissident Adam Michnik once said: “You can crush the flowers, but you cannot stop the spring.”
Let’s make sure the spring comes.