Many Americans know that history tends to repeat itself. According to the original commentary, half of these recurring patterns are destructive, while the other half can be beneficial. The author warns that America may be falling prey to four significant mistakes reflective of past autocratic trends.
Is the United States on the cusp of a pivotal turning point for its democracy? According to a conversation featuring Robert Kagan, the 2026 election may prove decisive in determining whether the nation can steer clear of the brink.
In the letters published on December 10, 2025, readers voice their anxieties about America’s future as a democracy. Although the specific viewpoints are behind a paywall, the overarching concern is that the nation may be drifting away from the principles on which it was founded.
Dick Polman argues that political deception has a long history in American democracy, citing examples from John Adams to JFK. Today, he contends, the MAGA movement represents a heightened form of this unrepentant pattern, raising questions about democracy’s resilience.
