Democracy, Populism, and the Tyranny of the Minority
Mar 14, 2024
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Political scientists discuss democratic instability, backsliding, and demagogues, focusing on threats to American democracy like minority rule, mob rule, and authoritarian behavior. They explore the impact of Trump's presidency, proposals for democratizing democracy, and the resilience of American democracy amidst challenges.
Mainstream parties must uphold democratic rules to combat minority rule threats.
US political structures like federalism protect against authoritarian consolidation of power.
Tripartite separation of powers in the US hinders plebiscitarian leaders from undermining democracy.
Deep dives
The Threat of Populism and Democracy - Steve Levitsky
Steve Levitsky discusses how minority rule poses a significant threat to American democracy and highlights the importance of mainstream political parties fully committing to democratic rules to ensure stability.
Democracy's Resilience to Populism - Francis Lee
Francis Lee explores how the US political system's structures, like federalism and staggered elections, help protect against authoritarian leaders' attempts to consolidate power, emphasizing the system's resilience to prevent authoritarian control.
The Role of Separation of Powers - Kurt Weyland
Kurt Weyland analyzes how the tripartite separation of powers in the US hinders personalistic plebiscitarian leaders, such as Trump, from subverting democratic institutions, illustrating how institutions like the judiciary and federalism act as checks on authoritarian tendencies.
Challenges to US Democracy - Steve Levitsky
Steve Levitsky elucidates the challenges that the US democracy faces, pointing out the precarious situation where authoritarian leaders exploit societal and state vulnerabilities, stressing the need for a vigilant defense of democratic processes.
American History and Democratic Institutions - Francis Lee
Francis Lee reflects on how democratic institutions, like term limits, safeguard the US democracy against authoritarian threats, underscoring the importance of historical context and institutional frameworks in upholding democratic principles.
Three political scientists join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss democratic instability, backsliding, and demagogues from a historical and global perspective. Guests included Harvard’s Steven Levitsky, author of Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point, the University of Texas-Austin’s Kurt Weyland, author of Democracy’s Resilience to Populism’s Threat, and Princeton University’s Frances Lee. This program originally aired on November 27, 2023.