Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt on the Tyranny of the Minority
Sep 9, 2023
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Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of 'Tyranny of the Minority,' discuss American institutions and the distortion of majority governance, polarizing effect of race on the electorate, and the need for institutional reform and a more diverse Republican Party.
The lack of incentives for the Republican Party to reach out to a broader base has led to attempts to overthrow elections, highlighting the need for a more diverse and inclusive party.
Investing heavily in sport and celebrity culture to enhance Saudi Arabia's image may not be a sustainable strategy in the long run, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
The American institutions that are counter-majoritarian and the radicalization of the Republican Party due to the current constitutional structure and demographic changes are key concerns, emphasizing the importance of empowering electoral majorities and possible reform measures.
Deep dives
Institutional reforms are needed to address the tyranny of the minority
The podcast episode discusses how the Republican Party's ability to gain power without winning majorities poses a threat to democracy. The lack of incentives for the party to reach out to a broader base has led to attempts to overthrow elections. The episode highlights the need for a more diverse and inclusive Republican Party to prevent such threats and to improve its position. It also emphasizes the importance of fair democratic institutions that allow the majority to govern and protect individual rights.
The Crown Princess problem: Using sport to mitigate human rights concerns
The episode explores the Crown Princess problem in Saudi Arabia, where the Crown Prince aims to enhance the country's image and modernize it through global sport investments. The plan involves focusing on soccer, along with other sports. By investing heavily in sport and celebrity culture, the Crown Prince hopes to overshadow Saudi Arabia's human rights record. However, the episode points out that this strategy may not be sustainable in the long run and raises concerns about the effectiveness of this approach.
How institutions and demographics shape American democracy
The podcast features a discussion with political scientists Steve Levitsky and Dan Ziblatt. They argue that the extent to which American institutions are counter-majoritarian is a key concern. They explain how the current constitutional structure and demographic changes have given rise to the radicalization of the Republican Party. The episode delves into the impact of race on party politics and highlights the importance of empowering electoral majorities. The guests also discuss possible reform measures, including changes to the Electoral College, the Senate, and the filibuster.
The Republican Party's demographic base and its appeal to non-white voters
The podcast discusses the Republican Party's demographic base and its ability to attract non-white voters. It explores the idea that a politically moderate Republican party that is open to immigration and respectful of democratic institutions may be more successful at broadening its base beyond its traditional constituency of white Christian voters. It also acknowledges that Donald Trump has been able to attract voters beyond the traditional base but has faced challenges due to his unpopularity among most demographic groups. Overall, the podcast suggests that the story of the Republican Party's ability to attract non-white voters is more complicated than initially assumed.
The Republican Party and the transition to authoritarianism
The podcast delves into the reasons behind the Republican Party becoming more authoritarian. It explores the theory that the party's authoritarianism is driven by the perception of existential threat faced by some members of a once-dominant ethnic majority, as they see a decline in their dominant status. The podcast highlights the need for a theory that can explain why a multiracial Republican Party, even if it is able to win elections and attract non-white voters, may still exhibit authoritarian tendencies. It also emphasizes the importance of rethinking and reforming institutions to safeguard democracy in the United States.
Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University, and Daniel Ziblatt is the Eaton Professor of the Science of Government at Harvard University. They are the authors, jointly, of How Democracies Die. Their latest book is Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt discuss the extent to which American institutions distort our politics by excessively thwarting majority governance; whether or not the American electorate is polarizing, or depolarizing, by race; and whether American democracy is better served by pursuing institutional reform or by tailoring Democratic Party strategy to the system as it exists.
