NPR

Opinion: American Politics Is Messy. But Here's A Little Global Perspective

NPR's Scott Simon offers some context to America's political chaos by looking at how authoritarian regimes around the world have tightened their grips on power.
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Dozens of anti-Donald Trump protesters stand along 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower as New Yorkers react for a second night to the election of Trump as president of the United States on November 10, 2016 in New York City. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president.

American democracy can seem messy in a week like this. Impeachment hearings looming, six-headed debates, people snapping, sniping, and all the costly, time-consuming, and chaotic accouterments of polls, fund-raising and campaign rallies.

It's one way to run a

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