This project uses a category-based score to track democratic erosion and authoritarian risk. The goal is not to create a sensational feed, but a disciplined early-warning instrument.
Each category is scored from 0 to 10, where higher values indicate greater democratic risk. The overall index is a weighted composite rather than a simple average.
Strong: final court rulings, statutes, executive orders, federal dockets, official data. Medium: reputable multi-outlet reporting or active litigation without final rulings. Weak: social media, unverified claims, or summaries without primary support.
Curated trackers such as Trump Action Tracker are useful as discovery layers, but they should not move the score by themselves without stronger underlying evidence.
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Rule of Law & Court Compliance | 15% |
| Habeas Corpus & Due Process | 15% |
| Coercive State Power & Policing Norms | 15% |
| Political Targeting / Weaponization of Justice | 15% |
| Election Integrity & Peaceful Transfer | 15% |
| Press Freedom & Information Control | 10% |
| Civil Society & Associational Freedom | 5% |
| Institutional Checks & Anti-Corruption | 5% |
| Military & Intelligence Neutrality | 5% |