A Drift Event is a documented action, policy change, legal maneuver, or cultural shift that represents a measurable movement away from democratic norms and toward authoritarian governance.
These events are not random — they are part of a broader pattern of erosion: weakening institutions, centralizing power, and undermining public accountability.
What Makes Something a Drift Event?
- It happened. Each event is grounded in verifiable action or policy, not speculation.
- It aligns with authoritarian tactics. We compare events to known patterns from modern historical regimes.
- It has systemic impact. Events affect institutions like the courts, media, federal workforce, or elections.
Events are categorized into areas like Judiciary, Media & Truth, Federal Workforce, and others — allowing us to monitor which institutions are being affected over time.
Why Track This?
Democracies rarely collapse overnight. The erosion happens gradually, often legally, and often with public support. The Drift Watch aims to make that slow process visible, measurable, and understandable — using facts, not fear — to defend open democratic governance.
Understanding Drift Levels
The Drift Level is a contextual indicator of how far democratic norms have eroded in the United States. It is not a numerical score or algorithmic rating — it’s a structured editorial tool based on verified events, historical comparisons, and patterns drawn from modern authoritarian regimes.
The Drift Level is updated manually and conservatively. Our current placement reflects a broad pattern of institutional stress — not collapse. You can learn more by reviewing recent Drift Events.