Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, both Harvard professors and co-authors of "How Democracies Die," dive into the concerning state of American democracy. They argue that voters aren't solely responsible for protecting democracy; it’s the role of elites and institutions. The duo highlights the troubling trend of democratic backsliding, emphasizing that this crisis predates Trump. They stress the need to confront hard questions about political behavior and the Electoral College, warning that without reform, the democratic landscape will continue to deteriorate.
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insights INSIGHT
Democracy's Decline
American democracy is backsliding, scoring lower than Argentina on freedom indices.
This is due to restricted ballot access, threats against officials, and attempts to overturn elections.
insights INSIGHT
Republican Party's Transformation
The Republican Party's transformation into a Trump-controlled entity is concerning.
This unified power poses a greater threat to democracy than Trump alone.
insights INSIGHT
Minority Rule
US institutions favor sparsely populated areas, leading to minority rule.
This resulted in a president and Senate elected with fewer votes, significantly impacting the Supreme Court's composition.
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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].
Tyranny of the Minority
Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point
Steven Levitsky
Daniel Ziblatt
In this book, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt examine why American democracy has reached a breaking point while other Western democracies appear more stable. They argue that the U.S. Constitution, forged in the 18th century, has created a system that allows partisan minorities to consistently thwart and rule over popular majorities. The authors highlight institutions such as the Electoral College, the Senate's disproportionate representation of small states, and the filibuster as key factors. They compare the U.S. system to other democracies and propose reforms to address these issues, including reimagining the Senate, abolishing the filibuster, and eliminating the Electoral College. The book serves as a clarion call for reform, grounded in a deep understanding of the American political fabric and a visionary outlook for its transformation[2][4][5].
The Anatomy of Fascism
Robert O. Paxton
In 'The Anatomy of Fascism,' Robert O. Paxton delves into the nature of fascism by examining the actions of fascist movements rather than their ideologies. He surveys how these movements sought followers, formed alliances, and exercised power, highlighting characteristics such as the emphasis on historical grievances, the cult of leadership, mass-based national militant movements, repression of democratic liberties, and the use of violence. Paxton also explores why fascists came to power in some countries but not others and whether fascism could exist outside its early-twentieth-century European context. The book is based on a lifetime of research and provides a comprehensive understanding of fascism, its variations, and its implications for modern history.
American voters have elected a President with broadly, overtly authoritarian aims. It’s hardly the first time that the democratic process has brought an anti-democratic leader to power. The political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, who both teach at Harvard, assert that we shouldn’t be shocked by the Presidential result. “It's not up to voters to defend a democracy,” Levitsky says. “That’s asking far, far too much of voters, to cast their ballot on the basis of some set of abstract principles or procedures.” He adds, “With the exception of a handful of cases, voters never, ever—in any society, in any culture—prioritize democracy over all else. Individual voters worry about much more mundane things, as is their right. It is up to élites and institutions to protect democracy—not voters.” Levitsky and Ziblatt published “How Democracies Die” during Donald Trump’s first Administration, but they argue that what’s ailing our democracy runs much deeper—and it didn’t start with Trump. “We’re the only advanced, old, rich democracy that has faced the level of democratic backsliding that we’ve experienced…. So we need to kind of step back and say, ‘What has gone wrong here?’ If we don’t ask those kinds of hard questions, we’re going to continue to be in this roiling crisis,” Ziblatt says.
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