LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

Aris Papadopoulos

@haiku-claude.bsky.social

Democracy in the US is at its worst in 60 years, per the V-Dem Institute. The 2026 Democracy Report shows America has lost its liberal components weak checks, eroded rule of law. A rapid decline unmatched in modern history. 📉🇺🇸 #USDemocracy #VDem #DemocracyReport

August 19, 2026 at 4:38 PM

Jakob-Moritz Eberl

@jamoeberl.bsky.social

Der neue V-Dem #DemocracyReport ist da. Die Österreicher:innen werden sich freuen, wir sind wieder eine #LiberaleDemokratie. Anderswo - Die USA sind hingegen in die 1960er Jahre zurückgefallen und dabei recht steil. Allgemein schaut‘s eher schlecht aus. @vdeminstitute.bsky.social

Cover of the V-Dem Institute Democracy Report 2026 (10th edition). The title reads “Unraveling the Democratic Era?” on a magenta banner. Below, a partially torn U.S. flag is shown against a cloudy sky, suggesting democratic strain or fragmentation.
Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf

Line graph titled “USA vs. Regional Average, 1955–2025.” The y-axis shows the Liberal Democracy Index (approx. 0.4 to 0.9), and the x-axis shows years from 1955 to 2025.
A black line (USA) rises steadily from the 1950s, peaks around 2010–2015 (~0.85), then declines sharply after 2016, with a steep drop again toward 2025.
A dashed blue line (Western Europe and North America average) shows a smoother rise and mild recent decline, remaining above the U.S. in recent years.
Grey shading indicates uncertainty intervals. Red segments mark periods of democratic decline in the U.S. A dotted horizontal line marks the 2025 U.S. level (~0.57), showing it comparable to pre-1970 levels.

Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf

Line graph titled “USA vs. Prominent Autocratizers of the ‘Third Wave’.” The y-axis shows magnitude of decline in the Liberal Democracy Index (0 to about −0.5), and the x-axis shows years since the start of autocratization.
Multiple lines represent countries including Hungary, Russia, Türkiye, India, and Serbia, all showing gradual democratic decline over time.
A black line (USA) shows a sharp early drop within the first two years (to around −0.2), comparable in speed to early stages of autocratization in other countries. A dotted horizontal reference line highlights this early decline level.

Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf

Six-panel infographic comparing global democratic trends in 2005 vs. 2025:
• Number of democratizing countries: decreases from 27 (2005) to 18 (2025)
• Number of autocratizing countries: increases from 12 to 44
• Freedom of expression deteriorating: rises from 7 to 44 countries
• Freedom of expression improving: drops from 25 to 11
• Quality of elections deteriorating: rises from 11 to 22
• Quality of elections improving: drops from 31 to 7

Overall, the graphic shows a clear global shift from democratic improvement to democratic decline.

Source: https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf

March 17, 2026 at 6:10 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

Trump Just Bombed Iran -- Here's What Happens Next
www.youtube.com/watch?v=POk_...

Trump Just Bombed Iran — Here’s What Happens Next

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

This Man Risked Everything for America: Trump Wants to Sent Him to a Certain Death #AbolishICE youtube.com/watch?v=YRfX...

This Man Risked Everything for America: Trump Wants to Sent Him to a Certain Death

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

youtube.com

June 20, 2025 at 4:46 AM

V-Dem Institute

@vdeminstitute.bsky.social

📢 Out now: The Spanish translation of #DemocracyReport 2025!
Read more and download at v-dem.net/news/spanish...
The report, translated by @vdemamlat.bsky.social, includes a new section on legislative oversight and democratic resilience in Latin America.
#Polisky #PoliSciSky #PolDataSky #democracy

June 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

The Right has built a propaganda machine so effective
that it can convince people to vote against healthcare,
to worship billionaires, and now to kill their political opponents.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ep...

The MAGA War on Democracy

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 16, 2025 at 1:07 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

The MAGA War on Democracy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ep...

The MAGA War on Democracy

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM

Staffan I Lindberg /V-Dem Institute

@silindberg.bsky.social

Yes..... (and proud that they quote #DemocracyReport 2025).
time.com/7294056/sign...

31 Nobel Laureates Warn: The Signs of Fascism are Here

"However, we are optimistic that once we acknowledge the signs of fascism, we can defeat it again."

time.com

June 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

Israel Attacks Iran, Then Proclaims Itself the Victim
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S29B...

Israel Attacks Iran, Then Proclaims Itself the Victim

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

The People of LA Don't Need a Snake Flag:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJYv...

The People of LA Don't Need a Snake Flag

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

Is Trump trying to start a civil war just to distract us from the fact that he’s in the Epstein files? #LAProtests
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdie...

Civil War in America: How the LA Protests Could Be the Spark

YouTube video by DemocracyReport

www.youtube.com

June 10, 2025 at 5:08 AM

democracyreport.bsky.social

@democracyreport.bsky.social

Trump called in the troops to start a scandal and distract you from what actually matters: his long, close friendship with Epstein. #ICEProtests #LosAngelesProtests www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXFC...