Customizable Autocracy Scorecard!

U.S. 2026 Edition

A serious, practical tool for tracking democratic backsliding in real time—without panic, and without guessing.

The point of this scorecard is simple: replace vibes with evidence.
If corruption, coercion, and abusive power are growing, we should be able to measure the pattern, compare it week to week, and talk about it in a way that persuades normal people.

This scorecard is customizable—so a student, a journalist, a civic volunteer, or a university community can track the indicators that matter most to them, while still using a common framework.

Get the scorecard (free)

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Why This Exists

Democracies rarely collapse in a single moment. They erode through patterns:

• attacks on independent institutions
• politicized enforcement
• intimidation and retaliation
• undermining elections and oversight
• disinformation used as a governing tool
• corruption normalized as loyalty
• emergency powers stretched and entrenched

When these signals are scattered across headlines, people either:

• doomscroll and burn out, or
• normalize it, or
• argue endlessly about whether it’s “really that bad.”

A scorecard does something better:

It helps serious people track reality.

Not hysteria. Not denial. Signals. Patterns. Trendlines.

What You’ll Get

This download includes:

1) The Autocracy Scorecard (U.S. 2026 Edition)

A clear set of indicators you can track weekly or monthly—each with:

• a definition in plain English
• what to look for (examples of signals)
• a simple scoring method
• a notes section for sources and context

2) A Customization Guide

So you can tailor it for:

• university communities
• journalists / researchers
• local civic groups
• professional communities
• specialized risk areas (elections, DOJ independence, civil service capture, etc.)

3) A “How to Use This Without Losing Credibility” Guide

Because the goal is persuasion and clarity, not fear-mongering:

• how to cite responsibly
• how to avoid overclaiming
• how to talk about the score with people who disagree

What the Scorecard Measures (High-Level Categories)

The scorecard is organized around categories that political scientists and democracy researchers commonly watch when assessing democratic backsliding and authoritarian playbook tactics.

Examples of category areas:

• Rule of law and judicial independence
• Civil service independence / politicization
• Law enforcement or security force politicization
• Elections integrity and administrative interference
• Oversight and anti-corruption enforcement
• Media freedom and intimidation
• Disinformation as governance
• Political violence and threats
• Emergency powers and exceptional measures
• Targeting of opponents, minorities, civil society
• Institutional capture (inspectors general, agencies, procurement)
• International alignment and corruption networks

You can track the whole system—or just the categories most relevant to your role.

Who It’s For

This scorecard is designed mainly for ordinary citizens and civic groups who want:

• a serious way to understand what’s happening
• a common language for discussing risk
• a tool that supports responsible persuasion
• a way to avoid both panic and denial

It’s also useful for:

• students, faculty, staff, and alumni in university communities
• journalists, researchers, and civic volunteers
• professionals who want to track specific institutional risks
• anyone building public-facing explanations or educational materials

What This Is Not

This is not a “gotcha” tool.
It’s not a partisan scoreboard.
It’s not a substitute for legal analysis.

It is a structured way to track patterns that, if ignored, can become normalized.

The goal is to help people ask better questions, notice early warning signs, and communicate more clearly.

How You’ll Use It (Simple)

Step 1 — Choose your cadence

Weekly (fast-moving moments) or monthly (long-haul trend).

Step 2 — Customize your categories

Pick 8–12 indicators that match your community and your concerns.

Step 3 — Record scores + sources

Each item has a place for notes and links.

Step 4 — Share responsibly

Use the included guidance to talk about trends in a way that builds credibility and broadens the coalition.

You’ll Also Hear About Upcoming Conversations

When you request the scorecard, we’ll also tell you about our upcoming Zoom conversations with organizers and scholars on:

• what works and what backfires
• how to leverage university communities
• how to build a long-haul defense of democracy and rule of law
• how to communicate clearly without inflaming conflict

You do not need to attend in order to receive the scorecard.

Get the Scorecard

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• First name
• Email address

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FAQ

Is this partisan?

No. It is designed to track institutional and behavioral indicators of democratic backsliding. The goal is clarity, credibility, and responsible public understanding.

Will I get flooded with emails?

No. You’ll receive the scorecard and occasional updates about relevant conversations and resources. Unsubscribe any time with one click.

Can I adapt this to my campus or community?

Yes. That’s the point. The scorecard includes a customization guide.

Can I share it?

Yes. We encourage sharing, and we also include guidance on how to share it responsibly.

Track Reality. Stay Credible. Stay Useful.

If a free society is being weakened, serious people should be able to measure the pattern and communicate it responsibly.

Get the scorecard.