Cliff Potts, Editor-in-Chief, WPS News

Washington, D.C. — July 30, 2025 — American democracy has shown alarming signs of strain. But imagine a darker turn: what if a significant portion of the U.S. populace has not merely lost faith in the Republic but actively desires an authoritarian—or even fascist—system? Emerging surveys suggest this may no longer be a fringe concern.

According to a 2024 Pew Research Center poll, 32% of U.S. adults believe “a strong leader who can make decisions without interference” would be preferable to the current multiparty system (Pew Research Center, 2024). More startlingly, 28% say they would be “at least somewhat willing” to sacrifice free speech and press freedoms for promised stability (Freedom House, 2024). These figures underscore a growing readiness to trade democratic checks for the allure of decisive governance.

The Mechanisms of Authoritarian Acquiescence

When citizens conclude that democratic processes deliver only gridlock and unmet needs, they become ripe for authoritarian promises. In this scenario, election laws would be restructured to vest near‐total power in the executive. The judiciary, long the bulwark against executive overreach, would be packed or neutered through legislative fiat. Independent media outlets and civil society organizations would face financial and legal pressures—ranging from punitive libel suits to onerous licensing requirements—effectively silencing dissent (Smith & Martinez, 2025).

Legislatures in sympathetic states might enact “public safety” statutes granting local law enforcement broad discretion to detain “subversive elements,” paving the way for political policing. Education standards would shift to prioritize “patriotic instruction,” recasting civic virtue as unswerving loyalty rather than critical engagement. Public symbols and cultural institutions would be co‐opted into propaganda efforts, celebrating a mythologized vision of national rebirth.

Economic and Social Realignment

Under fascist corporatism, major industries aligned with the ruling party would receive preferential contracts, while small businesses and worker cooperatives would face punitive taxation. Labor unions—once a force for collective bargaining—would be branded as “foreign‐influenced” and stripped of legal protections. Social welfare programs might survive in name only, reappearing as state‐run “solidarity funds” designed to reward political conformity rather than address genuine need (Jones, 2025).

The Civic Implications

A populace that consents to such a system reveals a crisis of civic culture: a willingness to abandon institutional norms for promises of order. When voters stop demanding transparency and accountability, democratic institutions cannot self‐correct. The erosion of trust in pluralistic governance ultimately corrodes the social contract, replacing citizenship with subjectship.

Lessons for the Republic

This hypothetical capitulation teaches a stark lesson: democracy’s survival depends not only on free elections but on an engaged citizenry that values procedural safeguards as much as outcomes. Rebuilding this commitment requires education in democratic history, reinvestment in local civic organizations, and unwavering support for a free press. Without these, the promise of “strong leadership” risks becoming a path to irreversible authoritarianism.

For resources, analysis, and action steps to defend democracy, visit https://endfascism.xyz

APA Citations
Freedom House. (2024). The state of civil liberties in advanced democracies. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org/report/state-of-civil-liberties-2024
Jones, L. (2025). Economic reengineering under authoritarian regimes. Journal of Political Economy, 133(2), 245–269.
Pew Research Center. (2024). Strong leadership vs. democratic processes: American attitudes. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/strong-leadership-vs-democratic-processes
Smith, A., & Martinez, R. (2025). Press freedom under siege: Legal tactics in modern autocracies. Global Media Journal, 15(1), 67–82.

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