What will I learn about: how modern demagogues rise to power not through violent coups, but by aligning with established politicians who mistakenly believe they can control them?

Understand how modern demagogues rise to power not through violent coups, but by aligning with established politicians who mistakenly believe they can control them.

What will I learn about: the four critical warning signs of an autocrat, which include rejecting democratic rules, discrediting opponents, encouraging violence, and threatening civil liberties?

Discover the four critical warning signs of an autocrat, which include rejecting democratic rules, discrediting opponents, encouraging violence, and threatening civil liberties.

What will I learn about: Learn why political parties must serve as strict gatekeepers of democracy by actively expelling extremists before they can enter mainstream politics?

Learn why political parties must serve as strict gatekeepers of democracy by actively expelling extremists before they can enter mainstream politics.

What will I learn about: Realize the danger of normalizing extremist behavior and why establishment leaders must avoid any public alliances that validate anti-democratic actions?

Realize the danger of normalizing extremist behavior and why establishment leaders must avoid any public alliances that validate anti-democratic actions.

What will I learn about: how the traditional backroom nomination process historically protected the US from populist threats like Henry Ford, and why that gatekeeping system ultimately broke down?

Find out how the traditional backroom nomination process historically protected the US from populist threats like Henry Ford, and why that gatekeeping system ultimately broke down.

How Democracies Die

And how we can save ours

Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt

★ 4.1 / 5(176 ratings)

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Categories:

Politics

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Did you know that modern democracies are no longer usually overthrown by military coups, but are instead dismantled from within by the very leaders we elect?
💡Have you ever wondered why the survival of a nation depends less on its written constitution and more on two specific unwritten rules of political conduct?
💡Are you curious about the four-point 'litmus test' that can help you identify a potential autocrat long before they take full control of a government?

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Key Takeaways from How Democracies Die

✓Understand how modern demagogues rise to power not through violent coups, but by aligning with established politicians who mistakenly believe they can control them.
✓Discover the four critical warning signs of an autocrat, which include rejecting democratic rules, discrediting opponents, encouraging violence, and threatening civil liberties.
✓Learn why political parties must serve as strict gatekeepers of democracy by actively expelling extremists before they can enter mainstream politics.
✓Realize the danger of normalizing extremist behavior and why establishment leaders must avoid any public alliances that validate anti-democratic actions.
✓Find out how the traditional backroom nomination process historically protected the US from populist threats like Henry Ford, and why that gatekeeping system ultimately broke down.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from How Democracies Die

Mind Map

How Democracies Die

Rise of Autocrats+

Role of Gatekeepers+

Gradual Dismantling Playbook+

Unwritten Rules of Democracy+

US Political Divide+

The Trump Presidency+

Resisting Authoritarianism+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8

According to the authors, how do dangerous demagogues typically rise to power in modern times?

A. By leading violent military coups to storm presidential palaces and seize control.
B. By aligning themselves with established politicians who mistakenly believe they can control the outsider.
C. By secretly altering voting machines and election data to manufacture a false majority.
D. By forming entirely new political parties that immediately win majorities in congress.

Question 2 of 8

Which of the following is NOT one of the four warning signs used to spot a potential demagogue?

A. A rejection of the rules of democracy, such as claiming election results are invalid.
B. A tendency to falsely discredit political opponents by claiming they should be jailed.
C. A reliance on grassroots fundraising rather than accepting corporate campaign donations.
D. An expression of a desire to reduce the civil rights of a person or institution, like a free press.

Question 3 of 8

What crucial role do established political parties play as 'gatekeepers' of democracy?

A. They ensure that campaign finance laws are strictly followed by all candidates.
B. They act as a filter that prevents anti-democratic extremists from gaining mainstream political power.
C. They guarantee that third-party candidates receive equal time during televised debates.
D. They organize primary elections so that voters have absolute, unchecked control over candidate selection.

Question 4 of 8

What event in US history significantly weakened the gatekeeping power of party leaders, leading to the rise of binding primaries?

A. The introduction of the electoral college system in the early 1900s.
B. The passing of the Federal Elections Bill of 1890.
C. The violent protests at the 1968 Democratic convention over the nomination of Hubert Humphrey.
D. The impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998.

Question 5 of 8

What are the three stages of dismantling a democracy, as demonstrated by figures like Alberto Fujimori?

A. Capturing the referees, sidelining the opposition, and changing the rules of the game.
B. Declaring martial law, suspending the constitution, and arresting all political rivals.
C. Defunding the military, nationalizing private industries, and restricting free speech.
D. Eliminating the two-party system, rewriting the constitution, and establishing a state religion.

Question 6 of 8

Which two unwritten rules are essential for keeping a democracy functioning effectively?

A. Bipartisan compromise and strict constitutionalism.
B. Separation of powers and universal suffrage.
C. Mutual toleration and institutional forbearance.
D. Freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly.

Question 7 of 8

According to the text, what historical event marked a major turning point that realigned modern US political parties along lines of race and religion?

A. The Compromise of 1877.
B. The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
C. The Vietnam War.
D. The election of Donald Trump in 2016.

Question 8 of 8

How do the authors suggest citizens and politicians should effectively resist authoritarianism?

A. By utilizing the same aggressive, rule-breaking tactics as the authoritarian to level the playing field.
B. By boycotting all legislative sessions and organizing nationwide general strikes.
C. By relying entirely on the Supreme Court to automatically strike down unconstitutional executive orders.
D. By upholding democratic norms, building broad coalitions, and focusing on universal policies rather than means-tested benefits.

How Democracies Die — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Potentially dangerous autocrats can be difficult to spot in advance.
32 — Democracy needs strong gatekeepers.
43 — For many years, gatekeepers in the US did their jobs well.
54 — Donald Trump bypassed the gatekeepers, raising many red flags along the way.
65 — Democracy can be dismantled gradually.
76 — Alongside laws, unwritten democratic rules help prevent autocracy.
87 — While trying to restore democracy after the Civil War, the US began a history of voter discrimination.
98 — Race, religion, and heated rhetoric shaped modern political divides in the US.
109 — In the Trump era, democracy’s future depends on the public and political leadership.
1110 — Resisting authoritarianism means upholding democratic norms.
1211 — Final summary

How Democracies Die Summary & Overview

How Democracies Die (2018) examines the fundamental principles of democracy, with a look at historical cases – particularly in Latin America – where democracies have turned into dictatorships or autocracies. The authors examine how these democratic downfalls have happened, whether it could happen again in the future, and what could be done to prevent this dangerous and often lethal outcome. Attention is also given to the presidency of Donald Trump, to question his motives and determine whether he qualifies as an American autocrat.

Who Should Listen to How Democracies Die?

Anyone interested in current affairs
Students of political science or government
Readers interested in the historical relevance of the Trump presidency

About the Author: Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt

Steven Levitsky is a professor of government at Harvard University. His research has focused on Latin America and the developing world. He is the author of numerous journal articles on political science and the co-author of the book Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes after the Cold War.

Daniel Ziblatt also teaches government at Harvard University, with a focus on modern European history. He is an award-winning scholar and author of the books Conservative Parties and the Birth of Democracy and Structuring the State: the Formation of Italy and Germany and the Puzzle of Federalism.

How Democracies Die

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to How Democracies Die — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from How Democracies Die

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

How Democracies Die — Full Chapter Overview

How Democracies Die Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to How Democracies Die?

About the Author: Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt

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