How Democracies Die

Description

2018 saw the publication of the groundbreaking book “How Democracies Die” by political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt of Harvard University. The subtle and frequently slow disintegration of democratic institutions is examined in the book, with a focus on how elected leaders undermine the exact mechanisms that brought them to power, causing democracies to deteriorate internally rather than through violent coups. The authors offer a thorough examination of the indicators and processes that precede democratic backsliding, drawing on a wealth of historical and modern instances.

The discovery of four crucial markers of authoritarian conduct is at the heart of their argument:

disregard for (or lack of dedication to) democratic norms.
denial of political opponents’ validity.
acceptance or promotion of violence.
preparedness to restrict opponents’ civil freedoms, particularly those of the media.

In order to demonstrate how democracies have given way to authoritarianism, the writers examine a number of case studies from throughout the globe, including those from Europe and Latin America. They imply that even established democracies are vulnerable to these dangers by drawing comparisons to recent events in the US, especially during and following the 2016 presidential election. The book highlights that citizens, in addition to political leaders, bear the duty of preserving democracy, and that they must continue to be watchful and dedicated to democratic ideals.

For those who are worried about the future of democratic government, Levitsky and Ziblatt present an engaging story that is both a cautionary tale and a call to action by fusing academic research with readable writing.

“How Democracies Die” offers a comprehensive and provocative examination of these important topics for readers who wish to understand the mechanics of democratic decline and the elements that lead to the emergence of authoritarianism.