In this book, author and historian Hans Olav Lahlum explains and analyzes the situation in a deeply divided United States, a year and a half after Donald Trump’s major comeback as president – and just months before highly critical midterm elections.

President Trump is portrayed by his opponents as an existential threat to democracy and the rule of law. Meanwhile, his supporters depict him as a long-awaited and necessary savior. Hans Olav Lahlum presents an accessible account of the history of democracy and the rule of law in the United States. The book explains the road leading to the current state of affairs and discusses the outlook for the coming years. As part of this analysis, the evolution and current state of both the Democratic and Republican parties are examined. The United States’ current position in the global community is also discussed in light of the legacies of past presidents. Furthermore, the final chapters of the book explore the role of Vice President Vance and the future prospects of the MAGA movement.

Is American democracy truly teetering on the brink of the abyss—and are we witnessing the end of the global leadership role the US has held in the West ever since World War II?