This study examines perceptions of U.S. democracy's importance and performance during the first year-and-a-half of Donald Trump's presidency using original survey data from political experts and the public.
🔍 Data & Methods
Drawing upon a theory regarding democratic constraints, this research surveys expert opinions alongside public views on specific dimensions of democratic erosion.
đź’ˇ Key Findings
While significant disagreement exists between experts and supporters/traditional opponents over what constitutes democratic erosion, both groups largely agree that checks and balances have eroded during the Trump presidency. However, polarization intensifies these divisions.
đź’ Why It Matters:
The findings offer a nuanced perspective on how American democracy is perceived as evolving under contemporary leadership—revealing areas where broad agreement on democratic principles persists even amidst intense political disagreement.
