Ayesha Roscoe

That was Stephen Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard, Shabnam Gamushu, a political scientist at Middlebury College, and Kim Lane Shepley, a Princeton sociologist. Of course, there are scholars who disagree with them. But in recent surveys, hundreds of political scientists from all over the country were asked to rate the health of American democracy.

That was Stephen Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard, Shabnam Gamushu, a political scientist at Middlebury College, and Kim Lane Shepley, a Princeton sociologist. Of course, there are scholars who disagree with them. But in recent surveys, hundreds of political scientists from all over the country were asked to rate the health of American democracy.

That was Stephen Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard, Shabnam Gamushu, a political scientist at Middlebury College, and Kim Lane Shepley, a Princeton sociologist. Of course, there are scholars who disagree with them. But in recent surveys, hundreds of political scientists from all over the country were asked to rate the health of American democracy.

And they downgraded America's democracy score more than ever before. NPR's Frank Langfitt has been covering democracy for some time and was intrigued by these landmark results. He decided to speak to some scholars and others who've come here from authoritarian countries and find out what they make of President Trump's first months in office. Welcome to the show, Frank.

And they downgraded America's democracy score more than ever before. NPR's Frank Langfitt has been covering democracy for some time and was intrigued by these landmark results. He decided to speak to some scholars and others who've come here from authoritarian countries and find out what they make of President Trump's first months in office. Welcome to the show, Frank.

And they downgraded America's democracy score more than ever before. NPR's Frank Langfitt has been covering democracy for some time and was intrigued by these landmark results. He decided to speak to some scholars and others who've come here from authoritarian countries and find out what they make of President Trump's first months in office. Welcome to the show, Frank.

What struck you in your conversations with these scholars?

What struck you in your conversations with these scholars?

What struck you in your conversations with these scholars?

So what was the news and why did he have this change of heart?

So what was the news and why did he have this change of heart?

So what was the news and why did he have this change of heart?

Yeah, I remember there was a huge reaction to that video. And so what happened to this student?

Yeah, I remember there was a huge reaction to that video. And so what happened to this student?

Yeah, I remember there was a huge reaction to that video. And so what happened to this student?

So that's what scared your source.

So that's what scared your source.

So that's what scared your source.

he's worried that he could be detained as well.

he's worried that he could be detained as well.