Road to Dictatorship Checklist
- Erosion of Democratic Institutions
- Weakening of the judiciary’s independence
- Undermining free press and censorship
- Diminishing legislative authority
- Consolidation of Power
- Centralization of executive authority
- Suppression of political opposition
- Manipulation or abolition of electoral processes
- Erosion of Civil Liberties
- Restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly
- Use of surveillance and repression against dissent
- Targeting of opposition leaders and activists
- Use of Propaganda and Disinformation
- Control of media outlets
- Promotion of state-approved narrative
- Discrediting opponents through misinformation
- Legal Changes and Emergency Measures
- Implementation of emergency laws
- Changing constitutions or legal frameworks to favor the leader
- Extended or indefinite state of emergency
- Suppression of Political Pluralism
- Banning or suppressing opposition parties
- Creating favoritism or puppet parties
- Intimidation and imprisonment of political rivals
- Military and Security Apparatus Control
- Gaining loyalty of military and police forces
- Use of security forces to quell protests and opposition
- Deployment of paramilitary groups or militias
- Cult of Personality
- Promotion of leader’s image as the sole savior
- Use of propaganda to build unchallengeable authority
- Suppression of criticism that threatens the leader’s image
- International Actions
- Withdrawal from international agreements
- Ignoring or violating international norms
- Seeking foreign support or recognition based on power consolidation
- Normalization of Repression
- Routine use of force against civilians
- Arbitrary arrests and detention
- Institutionalization of fear and silence
