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How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future by Daniel Ziblatt, Steven Levitsky
bethanyclarkvt's review
5.0
I am proud that this is the first book I read in the new year. Admittedly, this is very close to what I studied in school and want to do with my life, but the parallels drawn by Levitsky and Ziblatt are vital to understanding what is happening in our country and what could happen. Even having studied the break down of democracies worldwide, I did not make the connections between what happened elsewhere and the various points in our history where democracy was weak or merely a facade.
I recommend this book to anyone with any interest in current events or politics, children of history, concerned citizens, anyone. Many people in social media compare today's events to "pre-Hitler Germany" or Germany's descent into fascism. What we forget is that in the last decade there are numerous other descents into dictatorships that have happened very close to our own borders. Looking at events in Latin America in the last century and what is happening in Poland, Hungary, and Turkey as we speak, Levitsky and Ziblatt really opened my eyes.
They also provided me with brand new vocabulary to describe polarization and the breakdown of what we expect our politicians to do and how we expect them to act. And it was easy to read, compelling, not too academic, and not bogged down in endnotes. I cannot recommend this book enough.
I recommend this book to anyone with any interest in current events or politics, children of history, concerned citizens, anyone. Many people in social media compare today's events to "pre-Hitler Germany" or Germany's descent into fascism. What we forget is that in the last decade there are numerous other descents into dictatorships that have happened very close to our own borders. Looking at events in Latin America in the last century and what is happening in Poland, Hungary, and Turkey as we speak, Levitsky and Ziblatt really opened my eyes.
They also provided me with brand new vocabulary to describe polarization and the breakdown of what we expect our politicians to do and how we expect them to act. And it was easy to read, compelling, not too academic, and not bogged down in endnotes. I cannot recommend this book enough.
scott_h_119's review against another edition
5.0
Along with “On Tyranny” this book is a must-read for restoring American democracy.
robbydeshazer's review
4.0
It is not the fault of the authors that they wrote this prior to J6, but it does make this book age poorly. The research of the earlier sections are good. I wish the writers had been a little more critical of neoliberalism.
josevillalta's review
4.0
This book shows the reader how democratic governments can backslide into autocratic dictatorships without violence or coups. The authors draw on the lessons learned from the history. It provides clear criteria that readers can use to gage whether something is dangerous to democracy or not. It makes its case using lessons learned from Europe in the 1930's as well as Latin America in the 1970's and now. The main message of the book is that like bankruptcies and divorces democracies die "slowly, then suddenly"
The authors urge the reader to keep vigilant for the provided signs of democracy weakening so they can stop it before it's too late.
I liked that the book is honest. It does not ignore the fact that race is a crucial factor for division in America, unlike many "centrist" books, it does not skirt the issue even though that's not the focus of the book. It asserts (rightly so) that the reason for the stability and mutual respect between Democrats and Republicans in the US from the 1870's until the 1960's was the mutual agreement to exclude black people and other minorities from participation in politics in any meaningful way.
I also really like the how clear the authors make their points. The key indicators of authoritarian behaviors are useful tools for assessing the actions of public figures.
The book comes up short in the "what do we do about it" section. The solutions proposed at the end of the book read like an after-thought and leave something to be desired. I take it that historians are more inclined to look at the past instead of crafting the future?
The book feels a bit dated even though it came out in 2018. It's missing all the things that happened during the second half of Trump's term, which by itself could fill volumes. I wonder what the authors would have to say about the January 6th insurrection.
I also didn't like that the authors downplay the role of globalization factors into the decline of democracies all over the world, but that's just me. They seem too optimistic about the ability for democracy to prevail. Democracy is something everyone has to fight for, and the big economic shifts of globalization provide the right conditions for a backlash against the status quo.
I feel like everyone should know what's in this book. It's our duty to be informed and understand the forces that shape our world. It is important to know all the tricks that authoritarians use to slowly consolidate power.
The book is a call out to the gate-keepers of the political system to do a better job at excluding extremists from political power. I think this is a flawed approach. Guarding democracy is everyone's job.
Goodread.
The authors urge the reader to keep vigilant for the provided signs of democracy weakening so they can stop it before it's too late.
I liked that the book is honest. It does not ignore the fact that race is a crucial factor for division in America, unlike many "centrist" books, it does not skirt the issue even though that's not the focus of the book. It asserts (rightly so) that the reason for the stability and mutual respect between Democrats and Republicans in the US from the 1870's until the 1960's was the mutual agreement to exclude black people and other minorities from participation in politics in any meaningful way.
I also really like the how clear the authors make their points. The key indicators of authoritarian behaviors are useful tools for assessing the actions of public figures.
The book comes up short in the "what do we do about it" section. The solutions proposed at the end of the book read like an after-thought and leave something to be desired. I take it that historians are more inclined to look at the past instead of crafting the future?
The book feels a bit dated even though it came out in 2018. It's missing all the things that happened during the second half of Trump's term, which by itself could fill volumes. I wonder what the authors would have to say about the January 6th insurrection.
I also didn't like that the authors downplay the role of globalization factors into the decline of democracies all over the world, but that's just me. They seem too optimistic about the ability for democracy to prevail. Democracy is something everyone has to fight for, and the big economic shifts of globalization provide the right conditions for a backlash against the status quo.
I feel like everyone should know what's in this book. It's our duty to be informed and understand the forces that shape our world. It is important to know all the tricks that authoritarians use to slowly consolidate power.
The book is a call out to the gate-keepers of the political system to do a better job at excluding extremists from political power. I think this is a flawed approach. Guarding democracy is everyone's job.
Goodread.
a_vro_'s review
4.0
I enjoyed that this book seemed very well researched. As someone who is interesting in modern politics and history, I felt that this was a truly interesting read. Some portions got a little blah for me, but others were very engaging. I think it is interesting to look at how other countries have address some of the same issues within democracy (or have not address them) and the varying outcomes. Even more than that, how we have addressed similar issues in the past.
Democracy is not a one-size-fits-all approach to governing. This book addresses some topics that are still hot today (book written in 2018) such as BLM, racial equality and ethnic diversity, court-packing, and more -and....- I kind of want a follow up to address these last two years. It is obvious that tensions between parties are high right now, but hopefully some of the issues can be bridged and we will eventually be back on track to a better democracy. *fingers crossed*
Democracy is not a one-size-fits-all approach to governing. This book addresses some topics that are still hot today (book written in 2018) such as BLM, racial equality and ethnic diversity, court-packing, and more -and....- I kind of want a follow up to address these last two years. It is obvious that tensions between parties are high right now, but hopefully some of the issues can be bridged and we will eventually be back on track to a better democracy. *fingers crossed*