As you might imagine, the word “democracy” has been mentioned in Congressional speeches many times over the years. However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in how democracy is discussed.
Over the past several years, it has become much more common to hear democracy described as being under threat. This change in tone reflects growing concerns about the state of democratic institutions and values.
For The Pudding, Alvin Chang conducted an analysis of speeches recorded in the Congressional Record dating back to 1880. His work highlights this abrupt shift in sentiment, showing how perceptions of democracy have evolved over time.
https://flowingdata.com/2025/11/14/threats-to-democracy-in-the-congressional-record/