“How Democracies Die” is an eye-opening book by renowned Harvard scholars, Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky. The book seeks to answer the important question: How do democracies go bad?
The authors set forth a theory of “competitive authoritarianism” in which elected leaders chip away at democratic institutions to slowly and stealthily erode individual liberties. An insidious pattern of democratic erosion occurs when demagogues cultivate a political environment in which opponents are either unable to compete or are intimidated from participating. In this environment, ruling regimes are not explicitly anti-democratic, but the erosion of democracy is far-reaching.
Ziblatt and Levine argue that democracies rarely collapse with a single dramatic coup. They instead often perish as a result of gradual erosion as opposed to a single swift blow. Much like the gradual boiling of a frog, citizens and institutions of a democracy can become so accustomed to the slow decline of their democracy that they are unaware until it's too late.
The authors examine several case studies in detail to elucidate the forces that can lead to democratic erosion. For example, they look at how Hugo Chávez disempowered the Venezuelan legislature in order to give himself unchecked authority. Ziblatt and Levine also look at Hungary’s Fidesz movement, which has managed to undermine Democracies through gerrymandering and other tactics. They also analyze the waning of Turkish democracy under the increasingly authoritarian rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The authors emphasize that, in order for democracies to remain healthy, guardrails must be established to keep politicians from eroding democracy. Ziblatt and Levine argue that these guardrails often have three components. First, regular and fair elections are necessary for a democracy to survive. Secondly, restrictions must be placed on executive power. Lastly, the rule of law and independent judiciaries must be encouraged. These guardrails can limit the power of elected autocrats, and those in control of a country can more easily be tossed from office when they overstep their boundaries.
“How Democracies Die” is a frightening yet essential analysis of what happens when democracies die. It is an insightfully researched and thoughtfully argued book, which is sure to spark debate. Ziblatt and Levine’s work is a timely reminder that citizens must remain vigilant to protect their democracies, as democracies never die suddenly or easily. It takes work, integrity, and constancy to keep them going, and their demise can be all too easy if caution is not taken.
