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How Democracies Die: What History Reveals About Our Future by Daniel Ziblatt, Steven Levitsky
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*
wortknistern's review against another edition
4.0
Gutes Buch, gern gelesen und wirklich viel gelernt. Hier ein paar Kritikpunkte:
- sehr starker Fokus auf die USA, der mir aus dem Titel + Untertitel nicht klar war und der (Titel) hier absolut falsch gewählt ist. "Wie die US-Amerikanische Demokratie stirbt" wäre ein passenderer Titel gewesen. Vieles lässt sich zwar auch auf andere Länder übertragen, hätte aber hier größere Diversität bei den Beispielsländern interessanter gefunden
- wahrscheinlich dadurch, dass das Buch für eine US-amerikanische Leserschaft geschrieben wurde wird viel Vorkenntnis zu den Parteien in den USA vorausgesetzt
- unkritische Übersetzung des englischen Wortes "race" mit "Rasse"
- sehr starker Fokus auf die USA, der mir aus dem Titel + Untertitel nicht klar war und der (Titel) hier absolut falsch gewählt ist. "Wie die US-Amerikanische Demokratie stirbt" wäre ein passenderer Titel gewesen. Vieles lässt sich zwar auch auf andere Länder übertragen, hätte aber hier größere Diversität bei den Beispielsländern interessanter gefunden
- wahrscheinlich dadurch, dass das Buch für eine US-amerikanische Leserschaft geschrieben wurde wird viel Vorkenntnis zu den Parteien in den USA vorausgesetzt
- unkritische Übersetzung des englischen Wortes "race" mit "Rasse"
sunshine915's review
4.0
A really interesting look at how democracies collapse with particular focus on more modern examples of the collapse in Central and South America. There is a great discussion of factors that maintain the stability of democracies and characteristics of leaders that are likely to erode democracies. The book clearly illustrates that maintaining a democracy is a work in progress that involves active participation of the citizenry. This was a short, but well researched book written by respected academics.
theredhead15's review
3.0
Good, but very, very bleak. The authors' ultimate optimism is very much undercut by the contents of their own book.
idlepassage's review
2.5
Eh. For one thing I was hoping this book would detail the fall of other democracies a bit more, rather than sort of generalizing the series of events from its example countries. Very goofy choice to mention so many Latin American countries without referencing the US' coordinated efforts to destabilize the region. But ok. Was also hoping this book would also be less of a rant about trump.
Expectations aside, I appreciate the book's use of statistics and historical analyses, but found some of the conclusions it drew a little weird. For instance the argument that the electoral college is a necessary form of political gatekeeping, despite the fact that it led to a figure with authoritarian tendencies becoming elected? Nor much reference to the electoral college's relation to slavery? And while there was quite a bit of talk about America's changing demographics and a bigger shift away from christianity, I thought the book could stand to talk more about citizens united, the effect of campaign finance and super pacs (weirdly the author took the stance that small individual donations are somehow bad??), and the limits of a 2 party system. But rather, the book's central argument is that democracy's erosion comes down to the erasure of norms and decorum in our political parties? Idk bro, seems like a stretch
Expectations aside, I appreciate the book's use of statistics and historical analyses, but found some of the conclusions it drew a little weird. For instance the argument that the electoral college is a necessary form of political gatekeeping, despite the fact that it led to a figure with authoritarian tendencies becoming elected? Nor much reference to the electoral college's relation to slavery? And while there was quite a bit of talk about America's changing demographics and a bigger shift away from christianity, I thought the book could stand to talk more about citizens united, the effect of campaign finance and super pacs (weirdly the author took the stance that small individual donations are somehow bad??), and the limits of a 2 party system. But rather, the book's central argument is that democracy's erosion comes down to the erasure of norms and decorum in our political parties? Idk bro, seems like a stretch