Don't Lose Hope: How We Can Hold on to Democracy

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025 signified a further move to the right in U.S. politics, even to authoritarianism. Trump and allies have made little secret about their desire to install a Hungary-style form of corporate authoritarianism to control the federal government and funnel even more taxpayers' dollars to super wealthy individuals.
The blueprint was seen in documents like Project 2025 and Agenda 47. The hectic first few weeks included billionaire Elon Musk taking over the U.S. Treasury Department and payment systems, civil rights and diversity programs dismantled, thousands of federal employees fired without cause, departments like USAID shut down, unqualified loyalists installed as Cabinet members, violent January 6th criminals released from prison, tariffs that sunk the stock market and raised consumer prices, foreign aid and medical research stopped, and billions of dollars made from a meme coin.
Trump even announced more far-fetched plans that seemed to distract from the money raids, such as taking over Gaza, Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada, Mexico, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Meanwhile, many called Musk the real president and Trump a figurehead who focused on more trivial matters. What's next? Replacing educational shows and cartoons on PBS Kids with videos of Trump rallies?
This book by veteran journalist Jackson Thoreau shows how Americans have resisted other authoritarian leaders, from slave-owning bosses and industrial titans to Deep South dictators and more modern-day authoritarians like Richard Nixon. He explains how we got in this situation and how we can keep working for democracy and counter GOP authoritarianism.
There are recommendations on how to advocate for voting rights and other freedoms from the likes of former President Barack Obama, Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias, and other pro-democracy leaders. Long lists of resources and source notes are included. Humor is incorporated where appropriate.
If Trump and his organizations are ever brought to justice, it will happen because a small and careful cadre of journalists, including Jackson Thoreau, kept score.
‒Sara S. DeHart, Ph.D., associate professor emeritus, University of Minnesota