• US has remained champion of democratic institutions and rights for past 2 millenniums.

Is Era of American Democracy Over? Well, for the past five decades or so, if there was any shoutout on human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, right to speak or free will of people, it was from America. For some, America meant freedom, America meant hope, America meant rights and America meant freedom of speech. And, it seems all over with the advent of Second Trump Administration in the United States.

In fact, the history of American democracy is a story of continuous evolution, adaptation, and struggle. It is very much rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty. The American democratic system has undergone significant changes since its inception in the late 18th century. From the establishment of the U.S. Constitution to the expansion of voting rights and the ongoing challenges in the 21st century, American democracy has proven both resilient and dynamic until now. Will it survive the Trump era?

Evolution of American Democracy

The seeds of American democracy were planted during the American Revolution (1775–1783), when the thirteen colonies sought independence from British rule. The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, articulated the core democratic principles of self-governance and individual rights. It famously declared that “all men are created equal” and that governments derive their “just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Following independence, the newly formed United States adopted the Articles of Confederation in 1781. However, this system proved ineffective due to its weak central government, lack of taxation power, and inability to regulate commerce. The failures of the Articles underscored the need for a stronger national framework.

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established a federal republic with a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Bill of Rights (ratified in 1791) further secured individual liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, democracy at this stage was limited—only white, property-owning men could vote.

Championing Rights of the Marginalized Groups

By the early 19th century, property requirements for voting were gradually eliminated, allowing most white men to participate in elections. This shift, often associated with Jacksonian Democracy (1829–1837), marked a significant step toward broader democratic participation.

One of the greatest tests of American democracy came during the Civil War (1861–1865) and its aftermath. The war led to the abolition of slavery with the 13th Amendment (1865), followed by the 14th Amendment (1868) granting citizenship and equal protection under the law, and the 15th Amendment (1870) ensuring voting rights for Black men.

However, the Reconstruction era (1865–1877) saw fierce resistance to these changes, especially in the South. Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and voter suppression tactics such as literacy tests and poll taxes systematically disenfranchised African Americans.

While the early 19th-century democracy largely excluded women, the women’s suffrage movement gained momentum in the late 19th century. Activists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for women’s voting rights, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment (1920), which granted women the right to vote.

American Democracy in the 21st Century

Despite constitutional guarantees, African Americans continued to face barriers to voting and civil rights throughout the 20th century. The Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s), led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., fought against racial discrimination and voting suppression. This struggle led to the passage of:

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination,
• The Voting Rights Act of 1965, outlawing voter suppression tactics.

Despite progress, modern American democracy faces significant challenges. Efforts to limit voter access, such as strict voter ID laws and purging of voter rolls, have sparked debates about voter suppression. Concerns over gerrymandering (manipulating district boundaries for political advantage) also continue to undermine fair representation.

The 2010 Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in elections, raising concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential erosion of democratic accountability. Probably, its effect is visible in the 2024 elections.

Further, the rise of social media has transformed political discourse. Yet, it has also contributed to the spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and increased political polarization. The role of foreign interference, such as Russian meddling in the 2016 election, has further exposed vulnerabilities in the democratic system.

Recent years have seen increasing challenges to democratic norms, including disputes over election legitimacy, attempts to overturn election results, and concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions. The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol highlighted the fragility of American democracy and the ongoing struggle to uphold its foundational principles.

The election of President Trump has brought the country back to the January 6 stage. American is seeing an unprecedented dent to its national character today.

Is Era of American Democracy Over?

As we question it, we must see what is happening today. The US government is backtracking on all its promises; to its people and to the people around the world. While it was advocating for the rights of others; it has begun stopping freedoms of its own people. The entire government setup is running on the Presidential Executive Orders. a trend usually adopted by dictatorial regimes. The legitimate rights of assembly and speech are over as the Trump administration would simply brand anyone supporting peace in Gaza with the ‘terrorism supporter’ label.

The students in the United States are falling silent due to the dear of Trump Administration. Today, the free speech means an arrest, visa revocation, a deportation order or a criminal investigation against anyone. Even, the famous Green Card is no more a protection of people’s rights. The cases of Ranjani Srinivasan & Mahmoud Khalil are just the beginning. Amid claiming strong privacy rights, the US is aggressively disrupting the confidentiality of everyone on its soil.

While this all is the beginning, it definitely tells about the storm on the way. America is using the same tactics for which it would call other nations to be dictatorial or undemocratic. Thus, we ask: Is Era of American Democracy Over?