"How democracies die" from Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. Critical Review and Discussion

Essay , 2022 , 7 Pages , Grade: A

Politics - Miscellaneous

Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt’s book, ‘How Democracies Die’, evaluates different phases of American democracy and the threats it faces from within. The book highlights the degradation of the democratic institutions and norms in the United States since the Cold War. It begins by exploring the grounds for rise of authoritarianism around the world. Based on this observations, the authors suggest that Trump election in 2016 was an outcome of many decades of declining political values and degradation of norms within American political system. While the United States remains one of the leaders of the democratic world, recent events in her politics such as disrespect of political institutions and Trump’s autocratic tendencies undermined this standing.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Critical Review and Discussion of Chapters 1 to 5
• Chapter 1: The Warning Signs
• Chapter 2: How American Democracy Survived the First Wave of Populist Threats
• Chapter 3: The American Party System, and How It Failed to Stop Trump
• Chapter 4: The Courts and the Norms that Keep Them in Check
• Chapter 5: The Norms that Preserve Democracy
• Critical Review and Discussion of Chapters 6 to 9
• Chapter 6: How Norms Emerge and Stabilize Democracy
• Chapter 7: When Norms Break Down
• Chapter 8: Trump and the Assault on Democratic Norms

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book examines the decline of democratic institutions and norms in the United States, particularly since the Cold War. The authors argue that the rise of populism and authoritarianism in the United States is a result of a long-term degradation of political values and norms. They explore how populist leaders can emerge and gain power, and how democratic institutions can be weakened or undermined.

• The rise of populism and authoritarianism in the United States
• The decline of democratic institutions and norms
• The role of political parties in promoting or hindering democracy
• The importance of norms and institutional forbearance in preserving democracy
• The impact of populist leaders on democratic institutions and norms

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first five chapters explore the historical context for the rise of authoritarianism in the United States, focusing on how democratic institutions have been weakened and how populist leaders have gained power. The authors discuss the importance of political parties in preventing extremist candidates from winning elections and the role of norms and institutional forbearance in preserving democracy. They analyze the shortcomings of the American political system, particularly the lack of a "litmus test" for identifying potential autocrats.

Chapters 6 to 8 examine the erosion of democratic norms in the United States, particularly in recent decades. The authors highlight the increasing polarization of American politics, the rise of political extremism, and the impact of President Trump's actions on democratic norms. They argue that the actions of political parties and politicians have contributed to the decline of democratic institutions and norms.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The book focuses on key concepts such as democratic institutions, political norms, populism, authoritarianism, political parties, extremism, and the role of the American presidency in shaping democratic norms. It examines the historical context for the rise of authoritarianism in the United States and the factors contributing to the decline of democratic institutions and norms.

• College: University of Nairobi
• Grade: A
• Author: Mourine Atsien (Author)
• Publication Year: 2022
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V1326031
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346814289
• Language: English
• Tags: steven, levitsky, daniel, ziblatt, critical, review, discussion