Steven Levitsky, co-author and scholar of authoritarianism, discusses the alarming behaviors of influential figures like Trump and Musk. He highlights how Musk's vitriol and Trump's assertions of presidential supremacy signal a disturbing trend toward authoritarianism in America. Levitsky draws parallels between these actions and historical threats to democracy, underscoring the urgent need for engagement and vigilance. The conversation emphasizes how these behaviors erode democratic values and the active role voters must play in reversing this tide.
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insights INSIGHT
Competitive Authoritarianism
Elected autocrats use state power to suppress media and manipulate future elections.
This includes pressuring media companies through economic or legal means, like Trump's lawsuit against ABC News.
insights INSIGHT
Elected Autocrats
Being elected doesn't preclude authoritarian behavior.
Many autocrats, like Chavez and Erdogan, were initially elected democratically.
question_answer ANECDOTE
DOJ Independence
Trump's nomination of Ed Martin, who questions DOJ independence, aims to politicize the agency.
This mirrors other autocrats' moves to control regulatory and prosecutorial powers, like pressuring Eric Adams to align with Trump's policies.
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In this book, Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt examine the breakdown of democracies, arguing that modern democracies do not die in a sudden coup but rather through the slow erosion of critical institutions and political norms. Drawing on decades of research and examples from 1930s Europe to contemporary cases in Hungary, Turkey, Venezuela, and the American South during Jim Crow, the authors highlight the importance of mutual toleration and forbearance in maintaining democratic stability. They identify key indicators of authoritarian behavior, such as the rejection of democratic rules, denial of opponents' legitimacy, tolerance of violence, and curtailment of civil liberties. The book also discusses the role of political parties in defending democracy and proposes solutions to counteract democratic backsliding, including elite-level cooperation, addressing social inequalities, and restoring democratic norms[2][4][5].
Our descent into authoritarian rule continues. Over the weekend, Elon Musk raged on Twitter that people at CBS News deserve a “long prison sentence” based on a fabricated rationale. Meanwhile, President Trump tweeted out a line saying straight out that his presidency is above the law. And Trump nominated a nominee for U.S. Attorney in D.C. who has elevated the idea that DOJ should have no independence from the president. According to scholars of authoritarianism, these are the things that happen when a country is sliding into authoritarian rule. We talked to one such scholar, Steven Levitsky, co-author of a great new piece that charts what the path to American autocracy looks like. He explains how Trump-Musk’s latest moves, show how far along on this slide we truly are.
THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent 