From Democracy to Oligarchy: The Subtle Slide of Power
From Democracy to Oligarchy: The Subtle Slide of Power I t rarely happens overnight. The transformation of a democracy into an oligarchy is a slow, deliberate process—one that often goes unnoticed until the balance of power has already shifted. But if you look closely, the warning signs are there, woven into the fabric of government and society. It often begins with the expansion of executive power. When leaders stretch their authority beyond constitutional limits, they start to overshadow the other branches of government. Congress, once a robust forum for debate and oversight, finds itself sidelined—its voice diminished, its influence waning. At the same time, the courts, which should serve as a bulwark against overreach, are systematically weakened...