Developed democracies rarely become fully fascist autocracies, but several have experienced democratic backsliding with fascist traits since 2010. Here are four recent examples INCLUDING USA:

1. Hungary: Since Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party took power in 2010, Hungary transitioned from democracy to electoral autocracy (V-Dem, 2018). Orbán’s government controls 90% of media, gerrymanders elections (2022: 54% votes, 83% seats), and packs courts with loyalists. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws (2021) and migrant scapegoating reflect ultranationalist, fascist-like rhetoric. Hungary, an EU/OECD member with a $40K GDP per capita, faces EU sanctions for rule-of-law violations.

2. Poland: The Law and Justice (PiS) party, elected in 2015, eroded judicial independence, politicized media (TVP as propaganda), and passed anti-LGBTQ+ and abortion restrictions (2020). Nationalist rhetoric and border violence (2021) echoed fascist themes. Classified as a “moderate autocracy” by 2022 (BTI), Poland’s 2023 elections ousted PiS, but recovery is incomplete. An EU/OECD nation with a $45K GDP per capita, Poland shows reversal potential.

3. Turkey: Under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey (OECD, G20, $13K GDP per capita) shifted to autocracy post-2016 coup attempt. Purges jailed 50K+, media is 95% state-aligned (2023), and Kurdish/LGBTQ+ rights are suppressed. The 2017 referendum centralized power, with elections marred by arrests. Neo-Ottoman nationalism and Erdoğan’s cult of personality mimic fascist elements. V-Dem labels it an electoral autocracy.

4. United States: Since 2016, the U.S. has faced mild backsliding, intensified in 2025 under Trump’s return. Voter restrictions, media attacks, and 2025 deportation plans targeting 11M+ immigrants signal autocratic moves. The Supreme Court’s 2024 immunity ruling and “America First” nationalism raise fascist concerns. V-Dem notes a 10% democratic decline (2016–2024), with “liberal democracy” status at risk.

These cases, driven by populism and polarization, highlight autocratic legalism and nationalist rhetoric, per V-Dem’s 2025 report. Poland’s reversal suggests hope, but most backsliding persists without strong civic pushback.b