Individual Factor Movements
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
Key Developments
Democracy Trends Dashboards
These interactive US Democracy Dashboards track weekly changes across 39 key factors, organized into 13 dimensions, that influence democratic accountability in the United States.
How to Read the Dashboard:
Green cards show dimensions that improved during the week
Orange cards indicate minor to moderate declines in democratic vitality
Red cards signal significant democratic deterioration
Grey cards represent stable dimensions with minimal change
Tap any colored dimension card to explore the specific factors driving change and view the news stories behind each rating. The factor charts show individual movements on a scale from -3 (substantial decline) to +3 (substantial improvement).
Each weekly analysis draws from comprehensive monitoring of 15 news sources across the political spectrum, providing an objective, data-driven view of US democratic health trends.
Powered by RealTime DemTrends - Real-time analysis of democratic accountability trends
Democracy Dashboard
Week of August 4-10, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
9
Signaling Concern
1
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Active citizen mobilization and civil society oversight functioning effectively
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts blocking government overreach while maintaining judicial independence
Constitutional Balance of Power
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Executive precedent improvements through debanking corrections
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Information integrity challenges from misinformation contributing to government facility violence
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Environmental regulatory rollbacks, EPA solar program termination, Arctic drilling expansion
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Data integrity concerns with BLS firing, potential economic data manipulation
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Human rights enforcement concerns, Rwanda deportation agreement impacts
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Texas redistricting crisis, arrest warrants for Democrats, unprecedented partisan breakdown
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Record partisan divisions, wealth inequality concerns, CDC shooting linked to misinformation
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Federal-state redistricting tensions, international cooperation challenges from trade disputes
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
University funding threats, tariff security tensions, reduced academic freedom affecting innovation
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Systematic leadership purge at oversight agencies while federal departments serve increasingly political functions
Electoral Processes
→ Stable (0)
Standard electoral operations continue with no significant changes to validity or finance
Democracy Dashboard
Week of July 28-August 3, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Improving
15
Declining
20
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Citizens demonstrated exceptional democratic participation through grassroots mobilization including 30K volunteer deployment in Texas redistricting resistance
Electoral Processes
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Electoral system demonstrated healthy functioning through competitive high-profile races and Supreme Court accepting major constitutional questions
Legal System
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Federal courts emerged as constitutional guardrails blocking executive actions while facing targeting and pressure from political actors
Sovereign Relations
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
States defended autonomy through coordinated legal challenges while intergovernmental cooperation declined through Brazil sanctions crisis
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Equal access to services faced challenges through funding disputes affecting vulnerable populations, though courts blocked major cuts
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Cross-party deliberative engagement deteriorated with officials abandoning legislative posts to prevent democratic votes
Constitutional Balance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Executive precedent faced strain through unprecedented foreign judiciary sanctions and emergency powers usage
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Decline (-2)
Corporation for Public Broadcasting faced permanent shutdown after Congress stripped federal funding, affecting over 1,500 public radio and TV stations
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Decline (-2)
Emergency management showed concerning gaps with disaster aid denials while environmental regulations were rolled back
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Decline (-4)
Economic security tools deployed for political objectives with Brazil sanctions, while university research funding faced federal pressure
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Decline (-5)
Career federal professionals faced termination for political reasons while agencies filed complaints against federal judges
Other Dimensions
→ Limited News Activity
Democratic Norms and Modern Open Government showed mixed performance with minimal newsworthy developments this week
Democracy Dashboard
Week of July 21-27, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
11
Improving
11
Declining
17
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Citizens demonstrated robust mobilization capacity while civil society organizations actively challenged government overreach through legal actions
Economic Ecosystem
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Administration secured major trade deals with Japan and EU, strengthening economic security position despite inequality concerns
Functional Governance
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Government demonstrated service delivery responsiveness while regulatory systems adapted to varied federal and state approaches
Party Politics
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Bipartisan cooperation emerged on Epstein files investigation and congressional spending priorities
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Court-ordered transparency restoration and MLK assassination files release demonstrated accountability mechanisms
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Federal courts functioned as constitutional checks, blocking executive actions across multiple policy areas
Constitutional Balance of Power
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Congressional oversight operated effectively through subpoena power and bipartisan investigative authority
Sovereign Relations
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
California successfully resisted federal military deployment, demonstrating effective state-local coordination
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Violence incidents strained community bonds while economic inequality increased through tax policy effects
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Systematic diversity program rollbacks and immigration enforcement created human rights concerns despite civic culture resilience
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Mid-decade redistricting efforts and Senate appointment manipulation raised electoral integrity concerns
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Decline (-3)
Press freedom faced challenges through journalist arrests and access restrictions while information integrity declined
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Decline (-4)
Systematic dismissals of career professionals and agency politicization created institutional tensions
Democracy Dashboard
Week of July 14-20, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Improving
9
Declining
2
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Citizens demonstrated healthy democratic participation through Good Trouble rallies honoring John Lewis, while civil society organizations provided accountability through union advocacy and teacher opposition to federal cuts
Party Politics
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Third-party innovation gained attention through Andrew Cuomo's independent mayoral campaign, with polling showing nearly half of voters wanting alternatives to the traditional two-party system
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Service delivery declined as government research funding cuts affected climate resilience and Medicaid work requirements created additional bureaucratic barriers
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Federal courts demonstrated rule of law by blocking Afghan deportation protections removal, but impartial access to justice declined through expanded surveillance and restricted bond hearings
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Government transparency faced systematic challenges through Epstein document battles, with disclosure processes becoming politicized across branches
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Information integrity challenged by dismissal of transparency demands as "hoaxes," undermining factual discourse and government accountability mechanisms
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Supreme Court shadow docket rulings increasingly favored executive preferences while limited legislative deliberation on major policy changes raised constitutional concerns
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Decline (-4)
Federal Reserve independence faced political pressure while federal policies created regressive economic pressures and systematic targeting of academic research independence
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Decline (-4)
Epstein controversy fractured MAGA movement while immigration enforcement and transgender policy debates intensified community tensions across multiple fronts
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Decline (-4)
Systematic elimination of multilingual services and diversity initiatives reduced inclusion while immigration enforcement raised significant human rights concerns
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Decline (-5)
Supreme Court enabled systematic workforce restructuring with immediate Education Department layoffs while agencies coordinated political enforcement beyond traditional scope
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Electoral Processes and Sovereign Relations showed minimal change with routine activities but no significant shifts in democratic accountability
Democracy Dashboard
Week of July 7-13, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Improving
12
Declining
24
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Civil society organizations mobilized resources and legal strategies, with teachers unions opposing policies and liberal groups launching major fundraising drives
Functional Governance
→ Stable (0)
Texas flooding exposed coordination challenges while regulatory systems showed innovation, creating mixed signals
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Minor Decline (-1)
Press freedom tensions continued with journalist detention and presidential attacks on reporters during official meetings
Constitutional Balance
🔸 Minor Decline (-1)
Supreme Court decisions removed constitutional barriers to executive priorities, suggesting coordination around Trump's agenda
Legal System
🔸 Minor Decline (-2)
Federal agents conducted dramatic operations using disproportionate force while targeting political activists and US citizens
Economic Ecosystem
🚨 Moderate Decline (-3)
Trade policy remained aggressive while universities faced federal pressure, creating tensions in economic freedom and innovation
Democratic Norms
🚨 Moderate Decline (-3)
Immigration enforcement intensified with human rights violations while political discourse remained stable but concerning
Social Dynamics
🚨 Moderate Decline (-4)
Economic inequality and horizontal equity both declined as federal anti-poverty programs faced cuts and healthcare access was restricted
Executive Operations
🔴 Significant Decline (-6)
Supreme Court removed federal workforce protections while agencies moved aggressively on political enforcement priorities
Other Stable Dimensions
→ Stable
Party Politics, Electoral Processes, Modern Open Government, and Sovereign Relations show minimal change
Democracy Dashboard
Week of June 30-July 6, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Improving
6
Declining
4
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Federal courts actively blocking executive actions on constitutional grounds
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Citizens exercising democratic rights through peaceful assembly and coordinated political action
Independent Oversight
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
DOJ healthcare fraud investigations demonstrate independent oversight functioning effectively
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Federal oversight of universities intensified through civil rights investigations
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Information integrity challenged by partisan misinformation campaigns
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Civic culture decline and human rights concerns amid diverse voice exclusion
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Civil service professionalism and agency politicization under pressure
Constitutional Balance
🔸 Moderate Decline (-3)
Legislative processes modified while executive precedent challenged
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Decline (-3)
Social cohesion, horizontal equity, and economic inequality all under strain
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Party Politics, Electoral Processes, Modern Open Government, Functional Governance, and Sovereign Relations show minimal change
Democracy Dashboard
Week of June 23-29, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
6
Improving
9
Declining
24
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Citizens exercise democratic rights through peaceful mobilization
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Federal courts actively check executive overreach
Electoral Processes
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Elections function normally with transparent results
Sovereign Relations
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
International diplomatic engagement continues effectively
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Economic uncertainty from tariff policies and energy volatility
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Political violence and domestic tensions persist
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Service delivery challenges from workforce reductions
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-3)
Systematic agency politicization and civil service erosion
Democratic Norms
🚨 Moderate Decline (-4)
Systematic rollback of diversity initiatives and human rights concerns
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Constitutional Balance, Media Infrastructure, Party Politics remain stable
Democracy Dashboard
Week of June 16-22, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Improving
7
Declining
4
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Strong mobilization and civil society oversight counteract political tensions
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Rule of law advances amid ongoing challenges
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Crisis response politicization undermines effective governance
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Press freedom under pressure, journalist safety concerns rise
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Federal-state tensions escalate over National Guard control
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Human rights concerns escalate amid diverse voice exclusion
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Political violence and economic inequality strain social cohesion
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Digital democracy severely compromised by data misuse
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-3)
Systematic agency politicization, civil service erosion, oversight independence threatened
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Constitutional Balance, Economic Ecosystem, Electoral Processes, and Party Politics show minimal change
Democracy Dashboard
Week of June 9-15, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Improving
7
Declining
3
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+3)
Large-scale "No Kings" protests and union mobilization counteract political tensions
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Courts effectively check executive overreach, uphold constitutional constraints
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Financial disclosures and transparency mechanisms function effectively
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Senator forcibly removed from press conference, declining inter-party respect
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Federal military deployment without state consent challenges precedent
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Systematic human rights challenges through enforcement practices
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Journalists detained, injured, and fired for critical reporting
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Federal-state tensions over National Guard deployment
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Decline (-3)
Systematic agency politicization and civil service professional targeting
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Decline (-3)
Minnesota political assassinations and violent protests fracture social cohesion
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Electoral processes, economic ecosystem, and functional governance show stability