Historian Elaine Tyler May says that since the Cold War, fear has crept into American life. Her new book, Fortress America, examines key events that shaped today's political climate.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice tells NPR that America is still a "bright, shining city on the hill, not because we're perfect but because we struggle in our imperfections every day."
Venezuela's ruling party is threatened by an opposition fueled by an economic crisis and related public anger over fuel and food shortages. It's kept power in part by stalling all manner of elections.
Critics worry that the president-elect has authoritarian tendencies. With a tweet, he can hurt a company's stock or incite threats against a labor leader. His supporters say fears are overblown.
The deal in Saudi Arabia has been no taxation and no representation. Bottom-of-the-barrel crude prices changed the first half of the equation this week, as officials cut utility and gas subsidies.
The U.S. thought trade and investment would eventually make China more democratic. In fact, it's had the opposite effect: creating a rich, authoritarian leadership class that remains repressive.