Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast How Democratic Backsliding Happens with Steve Levitsky
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Dec 10, 2024 Steve Levitsky, a Harvard professor and a bestselling author, delves into the pressing issue of democratic backsliding. He discusses the critical role of societal memory in resisting authoritarianism, drawing on examples from South Korea and the U.S. Levitsky explores competitive authoritarianism, highlighting how modern leaders manipulate public support while undermining democracy. He critiques presidential systems for fostering division and emphasizes the urgency for bipartisanship to safeguard democratic principles in turbulent times.
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Competitive Authoritarianism
- Competitive authoritarian regimes maintain a democratic facade but manipulate the system.
- They hold elections but tilt the playing field against the opposition, often controlling media and packing courts.
Public Opinion's Impact
- Autocrats with high approval ratings can do significant damage to democratic institutions.
- Conversely, unpopular autocrats have less power and are more susceptible to opposition.
Autocrats and Crises
- Popular autocrats often inherit and resolve severe crises, discrediting the establishment.
- In polarized societies, approval ratings tend to be more static, limiting an autocrat's power.
