A professor’s thread about where the US is heading went wildly viral and makes for an important and terrifying read
Ever since the re-election of Donald Trump, the USA is dominating the global news agenda like never before. It seems that every day we are greeted with the latest outrageous pronouncements from the MAGA administration, each one more jaw dropping than the last.
From Trump seemingly cosying up to Putin, to his increasing determination to take control of Greenland, there can be no doubt that we now live in a completely different and increasingly uncertain world.
And whilst it’s possible that sanity may be restored in less than four years with the next presidential election, there’s also a possibility that things could get a lot worse before they get better.
Professor of economics and Founding Rector of American University, Kyiv, Roman Sheremeta, has created a revealing and very worrying Twitter thread which should be read by everyone.
He calls it ‘a sobering message from a history teacher’, and it certainly is sobering.
Let’s dive in.
1.
A sobering message from a history teacher:
I’ve spent years teaching American and international government — from strong democracies like the UK to authoritarian regimes like russia and China.
But lately, the most alarming lesson comes from home.
1/n pic.twitter.com/gCJ9lHODbc
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
2.
2/ One thing I always tell my students:
Democracy doesn’t collapse overnight.
There’s no moment where a leader says, “I’m a dictator now.”
The fall is gradual. Legal. Publicly tolerated. And often cheered on by millions.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
3.
3/ Take russia.
When Putin took power in 2000, russia had elections, a constitution, and a separation of powers.
Today, those same structures exist on paper — but they mean nothing. Putin rules absolutely.
And yes, Donald Trump admires him.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
4.
4/ So how do we know when a democracy is backsliding?
Every intro-level political science student learns the warning signs.
Here are a few I teach in my classroom:
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
5.
5/ When Congress yields to the President.
Our system was built on checks and balances.
But if Congress becomes silent or complicit, that balance breaks — as it did in russia, when Putin sidelined dissenters and filled parliament with loyalists.
Sound familiar?
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
6.
6/ When corporatism is normalized.
In backsliding states, oligarchs thrive if they support the leader. Critics are exiled or jailed.
Here? Think tax cuts for the ultra-rich, media consolidation, and regulatory favors — all benefiting Trump’s allies.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
7.
7/ When the Constitution becomes optional.
Rule of law isn’t a suggestion — it’s the backbone of democracy.
But we’ve already seen moments when Trump flouted the Constitution — and faced little consequence.
That alone should’ve been disqualifying.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
8.
8/ When internal enemies are manufactured.
Autocrats stay in power by creating enemies — minorities, immigrants, the press, historic allies.
It’s about fear. Division. “Protecting” the nation from threats that don’t exist.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
9.
9/ When loyalty shifts from country to one man.
Public servants swear oaths to the Constitution — not to a person.
But when law enforcement, military, and elected officials show fealty to one leader, democracy is on life support.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
10.
10/ Here’s the hardest truth:
If democracy dies in America, it won’t be in secret.
It won’t be a coup in the night.
It’ll happen slowly. Legally. In broad daylight. With our permission.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
11.
11/ Democracy isn’t self-sustaining.
It requires us to choose it — again and again.
Not with platitudes. But with vigilance, accountability, and courage.
We still have time. But not forever.
— Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme) March 22, 2025
Chilling stuff. And here are just a few of the many responses it prompted.
Trump is the Romulus Augustulus of the United States. pic.twitter.com/NIFrwWuAhS
— World’s Rarest Punk (@Rarest_Punk_NFT) March 22, 2025
Trump liebt Putin ♥️ pic.twitter.com/jHbWwnD33S
— Bettina Marheineke (@M73591Bettina) March 23, 2025
Well said!
— Professor aka Darko Pavic (@ProfKeeting) March 23, 2025
As far as I am concerned, the USA is way past the tipping point and from Trump on just another autocratic regime in the same category as Russia or China. No difference to me.
The sad thing is NO ONE says or does anything. If this doesn’t change this year, it‘s game over.— Gwenael Gautier-Schatz (@gwgautier) March 23, 2025
This is a very accurate assessment of what’s going on. Pretty scary…
— Larry Murphy (@murphy99usa) March 23, 2025
The US bypassed the gradual stage and went full autocrat in 3 months. https://t.co/T9xPoQIBn9
— vintendo BS (@VincentVanGrump) March 22, 2025
Great thread. And unfortunately the people that need to read and learn from it will do neither. https://t.co/nJudDkbJtX
— Dave Rowlands (@TrolleyDave1971) March 23, 2025
Excellent thread. https://t.co/WGCzQ0hvAY
— Prof Francois Balloux (@BallouxFrancois) March 22, 2025
The disturbing trend isn’t just disillusionment with democracy, but the growing comfort with what might replace it. That we now have so many people who honestly don’t understand where the alternatives will take them. https://t.co/B69S5Lebql
— Simon (@SimonDingle) March 23, 2025
I have two bachelors degrees, one in Political Science and one in Philosophy, as well as a law degree—and you should all read this. It is spot on. And I’m legit getting scared. https://t.co/7Xoo0JCSe3
— PipeDream (@Juris_Sequoia) March 22, 2025
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Source @rshereme