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    • About Us
  • Authoritarianism
    • What is Authoritarianism?
    • Warning Signs of Authoritarianism
    • Comparing Democracy and Authoritarianism
    • Why Are Republicans Adopting Authoritarian Practices?
  • Major Issues
    • Escalating Economic Inequality
    • The Impact of Big Money On Our Political System
    • Why are we so polarized and what can we do about it?
    • Media’s Impact on Democracy
  • Actions
    • What is needed for an effective democracy?
    • Build a Powerful Democracy Movement
    • Elect New Legislators
    • Reform Our Media to Better Support Democracy
    • Fix the Election System
    • Pass a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
  • Events
    • Partnering for Democracy in Massachusetts and Beyond
    • Democracy as a Spiritual Practice
    • The Democracy Movement: Where it Stands Today and Where it Needs to Go
    • Democracy in Chains
    • How Democracies Die
    • POTUS 1: The Next Fight for Democracy – Lawrence Lessig
  • Resources
    • Democracy Groups
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What is Authoritarianism?

Authoritarianism

  • the belief that people must obey completely and not be allowed freedom to act as they wish – Cambridge Dictionary 
  • the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others – Oxford Languages

In government, authoritarianism denotes any political system that concentrates power in the hands of a leader or a small elite that is not constitutionally responsible to the body of the people. Authoritarian leaders often exercise power arbitrarily and without regard to existing bodies of law, and they usually cannot be replaced by citizens choosing freely among various competitors in elections. The freedom to create opposition political parties or other alternative political groupings with which to compete for power with the ruling group is either limited or nonexistent in authoritarian regimes. – Encyclopedia Britannica

The word Autocracy is also used to describe this form of government: a country, state, or society governed by one person with absolute power.

Democracy and Freedom

Most of us, no matter our color or country, value our freedom. But today, authoritarians around the world are trying to seize power by peddling lies and deploying violence. Members of the MAGA Faction push bills to silence our voices and censor our history. 

Every elected leader must decide which side they are on – those who are standing up for freedom or the powerful few who launch invasion and incite insurrection to rule over us. 

Freedom requires standing with the people worldwide who are struggling for democracy, and standing for an America where each and every one of us can thrive and make our voices heard, no exceptions.

Our Mission

Reclaim Our Democracy is an inclusive, collaborative, multi-partisan movement. Our goal is to reclaim our democratic rights as citizens of the United States of America to have a government that truly represents and supports the needs and desires of all people.

Commentary

  • It is Time for Democracy to Strike Back Jan. 25, 2023
  • Two Takeaways from the Recent Midterm Elections that Every American Should Understand Nov. 22, 2022
  • A Real And Very Dangerous Conspiracy Oct. 14, 2022
  • It's Time to Fix the Senate Sep. 8, 2021
  • Back to Basics - #1 Priority for Congress and President Jan. 23, 2021
  • The Mitch McConnell Problem Dec. 18, 2020
  • Dear Mr. Trump: Your Contract Will Not Be Renewed Nov. 21, 2020
  • Today's Civil War Feb 16, 2020

Events

Democracy Festival at First Parish in Concord, Friday, May 19, 7:30pm and Saturday, May 20, 11:00am - 2:00pm

Meeting the Moment: Taking Action to Keep Our Democracy, January 6 and 7, 2023

Partnering for Democracy in Massachusetts and Beyond with Danielle Allen. Video now available.

Democracy as a Spiritual Practice, March 31 and April 14 videos now available

The Democracy Movement: Where it Stands Today and Where it Needs to Go, with Adam Eichen, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022 video now available.

Democracy in Chains, with Duke Professor Nancy MacLean, video of presentation

How Democracies Die, with Harvard Professor Steven Levitsky, video of presentation

Facebook

To read more about current democracy related news and events, please click here to visit the Reclaim Our Democracy Facebook group page.

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