In a striking analysis, the hosts discuss Donald Trump's claims of absolute power and their implications for democracy. They delve into the troubling article on American authoritarianism, connecting historical patterns to current events. The conversation touches on government tactics of reward and punishment, exploring how loyalty is fostered while dissent is stifled. Lastly, they highlight the alarming erosion of state capacity, urging citizens to engage actively in defending democracy during these precarious times.
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Trump's Claim to Absolute Power
Trump tweeted "He who saves his country does not violate any law."
This contradicts American democracy's foundation of rejecting absolute power.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Trump as King
Trump posted an image of himself as king, shared by the official White House account.
This reinforces his claim to power beyond the American presidency.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Consistent Rhetoric
Trump's assertion of absolute power isn't mere trolling; it's consistent with his rhetoric.
He claims to be chosen by God, placing himself above the law.
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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].
Exactly one month into the Trumpist regime, we reflect on what has happened since Trump returned to the presidency, what might be coming next, and what we have learned about America along the way. We start by discussing Trump’s declaration that the law doesn’t apply to him because he is chosen to “save his nation” (and because he seems to believe he is a king): Such assertions of unchecked power are not just distractions – they are manifestations of what MAGA really is as a political project. We then dive deep into the much-discussed essay “The Path to American Authoritarianism: What Comes After Democratic Breakdown,” written by political scientists Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way, published in Foreign Affairs last week. We talk about what the authors get right and where we might disagree – which helps us crystallize some big-picture thoughts about the current state of American democracy. Finally, we each bring up One Big Thing we have been thinking about lately: Lily sees reason for optimism because the corrupt bargain between the Trumpist regime and NYC mayor Eric Adams led to a mass resignation of top Department of Justice officials; Thomas worries about crumbling state capacity as the Trumpist sabotage is destroying the state’s ability to tackle the collective problems we face as a society, which will rapidly make all our lives more dangerous.
Is This Democracy 