Authoritarians have made enormous gains in the international system, and they’re using their influence to undermine democracy as a system of government. Countries that have struggled in the space between democracy and authoritarianism have begun tilting toward authoritarianism, because established authoritarians are offering alternative sources of support and investment. Putin perceived Ukraine as pulling away from an authoritarian path, in which corrupt power brokers might have been receptive to enticements from Moscow. He ultimately responded with an ongoing, savage invasion. Authoritarian regimes like Putin’s are threatened by democracy because the power of individuals and civic groups, rule of law, and respect for diverse opinions — all of which are central to democracy — potentially undermine authoritarians’ grip on power. Democracy is the only form of government that allows for the peaceful exchange of ideas and resolution of disagreement in which all citizens have an equal say in decisions that affect their lives. It gives people the right to join the opposition and to vote their leaders out of power — and to speak out against the abuses of authoritarian governments like that of Russia, where people have almost no political and civil rights. Beloud