Is democracy dying? Dictators worldwide are getting more powerful. Democracies are struggling. Some think we are at the beginning of a new and terrifying political age.
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Trump promises future with no voting
Is democracy dying? Dictators worldwide are getting more powerful. Democracies are struggling. Some think we are at the beginning of a new and terrifying political age.
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When the Soviet UnionOfficially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). A powerful group of communist republics, the biggest being Russia, that existed from 1922 to 1991. collapsed in 1991, many thinkers confidently said that the 21st Century would be the democratic century. They said that democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people. was clearly the best form of governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country., and that all countries would slowly move towards rule by the people.
Now, in 2024, things look very different. Even the world's most powerful state, the USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. , seems to be moving away from democracy.
Last week Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters that if they vote in this election, "you won't have to vote any more".2 Critics say he is suggesting he will create a dictatorshipA form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits. in the USA.
So why is democracy in trouble?
Some argue it is because dictatorships have become more powerful. In the past they had to stay strong through fear alone.
But today dictators sit at the heart of complicated networks. They can control what information reaches their people through newspapers, TV and social mediaSocial media is defined by websites, apps and social games that connect people to each other through the sharing of pictures, thoughts, ideas, articles, and other content. . And they can flood democracies with their propagandaInformation, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint. to undermineTo deliberately make something or someone less likely to succeed. democratic systems.
Is democracy dying?
Yes! With the world facing big troubles, people will keep looking to strongmenA leader who rules through threats of force or violence. to save them. China and Russia are rising, while democracy in the USA is struggling.
No! People around the world still want to live in democracies. Dictators will not be able to hold on forever. The future is still free.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
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Keywords
Soviet Union - Officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). A powerful group of communist republics, the biggest being Russia, that existed from 1922 to 1991.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Dictatorship - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.
Social media - Social media is defined by websites, apps and social games that connect people to each other through the sharing of pictures, thoughts, ideas, articles, and other content.
Propaganda - Information, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint.
Undermine - To deliberately make something or someone less likely to succeed.
Strongmen - A leader who rules through threats of force or violence.
Trump promises future with no voting
Despotic: Nowadays, autocracies are run not by one bad guy, but by sophisticated networks composed of kleptocratic financial structures, security services and professional propagandists, says Anne Applebaum in her new book. Glossary
Soviet Union - Officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). A powerful group of communist republics, the biggest being Russia, that existed from 1922 to 1991.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Dictatorship - A form of government in which one person possesses all the power without any limits.
Social media - Social media is defined by websites, apps and social games that connect people to each other through the sharing of pictures, thoughts, ideas, articles, and other content.
Propaganda - Information, which may be biased or misleading, used to promote a certain viewpoint.
Undermine - To deliberately make something or someone less likely to succeed.
Strongmen - A leader who rules through threats of force or violence.