Description: Authoritarianism and populism have returned to American politics for the first time in 80 years, as the outcome of the 2016 election shook our faith in democratic institutions. It has brought to the fore dangerous forces that many modern Americans never even knew existed. Even with increased voter turnout in 2016, catastrophically and historically low turnout in 2010 and 2014 compared to midterm turnout from 1930-1990 suggests that the problem of democratic legitimacy is at emergency levels. Todays bitter recriminations and panic represent more than just fear of the future, they reflect a basic confusion about what is happening and the historical backstory that brought us to this moment.
