In a stark assessment of the nation's political trajectory, historian Sean Wilentz has declared that the United States' 250-year experiment in democratic governance has effectively come to an end. Writing in a recent essay, Wilentz argues that the country has crossed a threshold from which there is no return, driven by deepening political polarization, institutional decay, and the erosion of democratic norms.
Wilentz's argument
Wilentz, a professor at Princeton University and author of several books on American history, contends that the democratic system established by the founding fathers has been irreparably damaged. He points to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as a symptom of a broader crisis, but insists that the roots of the collapse lie deeper, in decades of increasing partisan gridlock, the weakening of checks and balances, and the rise of authoritarian tendencies within the Republican Party.
The historian notes that the United States has survived previous periods of crisis, including the Civil War and the Great Depression, but argues that the current situation is qualitatively different. 'The difference now is that the fundamental norms of democratic governance—respect for elections, the rule of law, and a shared commitment to factual discourse—have been so thoroughly undermined that they cannot be restored,' Wilentz writes.
Evidence of decline
Wilentz cites a range of indicators to support his claim. According to the Pew Research Center, the share of Americans who express trust in the federal government has fallen from 73% in 1958 to just 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who believe democracy is working well has dropped from 70% in 2004 to 34% in 2023, according to a Gallup poll.
Institutional decay is also evident in the judiciary, where the politicization of Supreme Court appointments has eroded public confidence. The court's approval rating has fallen to 40%, the lowest in decades, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. Additionally, Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional, with the number of filibusters and procedural delays reaching record highs.
Reactions and counterarguments
Wilentz's assessment has drawn both praise and criticism. Some scholars, like Harvard professor Danielle Allen, agree that American democracy is in peril but stop short of declaring its end. 'We are in a crisis, but crises can be overcome,' Allen said. 'The question is whether we have the collective will to do so.'
Others, like conservative commentator David French, argue that Wilentz's conclusion is overly pessimistic. 'American democracy has shown remarkable resilience throughout history,' French wrote. 'To declare it dead is to ignore the many ways it continues to function.'
Wilentz, however, remains unconvinced. 'The experiment has failed because the conditions necessary for its success—a shared belief in democratic principles, a willingness to compromise, and a commitment to truth—no longer exist,' he writes. 'What comes next is uncertain, but it will not be the democracy we once knew.'
Impact and implications
The implications of Wilentz's thesis are profound. If correct, it suggests that the United States is entering a new political era characterized by instability, authoritarianism, or even fragmentation. Some analysts have drawn parallels to the collapse of other democratic states, such as Venezuela and Hungary, though the scale and context of the United States make direct comparisons difficult.
Wilentz's essay is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the health of American democracy, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Whether his prediction proves accurate or not, it underscores the deep anxiety that many Americans feel about the future of their political system.
